Thursday, November 2
BOZEMAN
7 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Northern Colorado
Emma Pence (12) and Kira Thomsen (6) deny a University of Montana player during MSU's 3-1 won over the Griz last Friday night.
Photo by: Colter Peterson
Cats Host Two in Shroyer
11/1/2023 3:28:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Montana State will close out its three-match homestand this week when it faces Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona in Big Sky Conference action.
NEXT UP:
Montana State will close out its three-match homestand this week when it faces Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona in Big Sky Conference action. MSU hosts UNC on Thursday at 7 p.m., and NAU on Saturday at 7 p.m. Both matches are slated for Shroyer Gym.
FACTOID OF THE WEEK:
With its victory over Montana last Friday night, the Bobcats now lead the all-time series with the Grizzlies 62-61 dating back to the 1975 season.
THE WEEK THAT WAS:
After spending the last two years in Missoula the Main Line Trophy now resides in Bozeman after Kira Thomsen's match-high 20 kills lifted Montana State past Montana 25-19, 24-26, 25-21, 25-13 on Friday night in front of 4,187 fans in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. Thomsen, a senior outside hitter from Parker, Colo., tied the all-time Montana State kills record at 1,451 with six put-aways in the fourth set. Also in double-digit kills for the Bobcats was Jourdain Kamps with 18. Defensively, Lauren Lindseth paced MSU with 18 digs, while Thomsen and Neilie Stevenson added 11 and 10, respectively. Pence finished with eight kills and a team-high five blocks, while Coutrney Weatherby came off the bench to record eight kills and a .333 attack mark. Stevenson dished out 34 assists in the win.
RPI RANKINGS:
Northern Colorado (134) is the highest ranked Big Sky school in the most recent RPI listing. The Bears are followed by Sacramento State (137), Weber State (141), Montana State (168), Portland State (178), Montana (199), Northern Arizona (247), Idaho State (254), Eastern Washington (278), and Idaho (331).
ONE AWAY:
Montana State senior Kira Thomsen is one kill away from becoming the all-time kills leader at Montana State. The product of Parker, Colorado, is currently tied with Diane Terrall (1978-81) at 1,451 career kills.
LIFE HACKS:
Montana State senior Kira Thomsen ranks first in Montana State history with 4,183 total attacks since her freshman season in 2019. Former Ranchester, Wyo., native Stephanie Laya held the old mark of 3,774 swings from 1997-2000. Thomsen's 4,138 total attacks also ranks 13th in Big Sky history. Lynda Johnson of Portland State ranks No. 1 with 5,183.
SCOUTING REPORT:
Northern Colorado, the reigning Big Sky champions, are 11-10 overall and 6-4 in league action after splitting a pair of road matches last week, losing 3-0 at Sacramento State, before rebounding with a 3-0 sweep at Portland State. Last week, the Bears were led by MaKenzie Harris, a 6-0 fifth-year outside hitter from Eaton, Colo., who recorded seven kills against Sacramento State before posting a double-double with 15 kills and ten digs in UNC's win at PSU. Also helping the Bears past the Vikings was middle blocker Isabel Bennett, a 5-11 product of Aurora, Colo., who notched 13 kills and three blocks. On the season, Harris leads Northern Colorado averaging 3.30 kills per set, while setter Syd Cole is dishing out 9.85 assists per contest. MSU defeated the Bears 15-25, 25-27, 25-22, 25-17, 15-11 on Oct. 7 in Greeley. Joudain Kamps sparked the comeback with 17 kills, while Kira Thomsen and Camryn Greenwald added 15 and 10 kills, respectively. Northern Arizona is 5-16 overall and 2-8 in Big Sky play. The Lumberjacks play at Montana on Thursday.
SERVING NOTICE:
Montana State is fourth in the Big Sky Conference, averaging 1.68 aces per set. The number ranks 90th in the nation. Individually, Kira Thomsen is second in the league averaging .44 aces per set, which ranks 66th nationally.
PACKING THE PLACE:
Montana State finished 39th in the nation averaging 1,292 fans per game, last fall. On Sept. 30, 2022, Montana State set a Big Sky Conference and State of Montana record when 6,457 fans jammed Worthington Arena. MSU's average attendance was higher than notable programs such as UCLA, LSU, and Notre Dame. After seeing a season-high 4,187 fans in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on Friday night, the Bobcats are averaging 1,220 fans, which ranks 59th in the nation and ahead of notable programs like Kansas, LSU, Boise State, Oregon State and Duke.
AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE:
Bobcat senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen ranks first in the Big Sky Conference in attacks, averaging 11.36 swings per set. That number also ranks 16th in the nation. In addition, the product of Parker, Colorado is first in the Big Sky averaging 4.01 kills per set, which is the 33rd best average in the country. Thomen's 4.60 points per set are tops in the Big Sky and rank 38th overall.
AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE x2:
As a unit, the Bobcats are third in the Big Sky averaging 36.00 swings per set, which ranks 53rd in the nation.
TOUTING THOMSEN:
Senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen, a three-time all-Big Sky Conference selection, is having an impressive final season with the Bobcats. She currently leads the league in kills per set (4.01) and points (4.60). Thomsen's 2.44 digs per set is second on the Bobcat squad, while her .229 attack mark ranks third. This season, Thomsen has been in double-digit kills in 17 of 20 matches, including a season-high 28 kills against St. Thomas (MN). She had a 19-match streak of double-figure kills dating back to Oct. 22, 2022, snapped after recording four against Cal on Sept. 15. Last season, Thomsen recorded a career-high 32 kills in MSU's 3-2 win over Portland State. Her 1,451 career kills rank first on MSU's all-time kills chart- tied with Diane Terrall (1978-81). Thomsen's 4,183 total career attacks is the most all-time. Thomsen went over the 1,000-career digs mark against Nevada making her tenth member of MSU's 1,000-Dig Club. She is now just one of four players in Montana State history to record 1,000 kills/digs - joining Meggie Malyurek, Stephanie Laya, and Mindy Nowak. On Nov. 18, 2022, Thomsen was named the GameChanger/AVCA Division National Player of the Week (the first in MSU history) after averaging 6.0 kills and 6.4 points per set as MSU knocked off Portland State and Sacramento State. Last week, she totaled 20 kills, a .250 attack mark, four service aces, and 11 digs, leading the Bobcats to a 3-1 win over rival Montana.
GOTTA DIG IT:
MSU libero Lauren Lindseth ranks seventh in the Big Sky averaging 3.92 saves per game. Last week she totaled 18 (4.5) saves as MSU defeated Montana 3-1 in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. On Aug. 31, Lindseth recorded a career-high 34 digs against St. Thomas (MN). She has recorded 17 matches in double-digit digs this fall. Last season, Lindseth was in double-digit digs in 22 matches, including a streak of 13 consecutive matches in double-figures. In addition, she went over the 20-dig plateau on nine occasions. Her 475 digs last fall ranks fifth in a single season at MSU. Lindseth earned All-Big Sky Tourney honors after averaging 3.56 digs in two matches, which included 24 digs in MSU's quarterfinal upset over Weber State.
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS:
Jourdain (Klein) Kamps is another Bobcat enjoying an outstanding season to date. She is averaging 2.82 kills per set, while hitting a team-best .275 from the floor. In addition, she is averaging 1.67 digs and 1.00 blocks per contest and has chipped in 12 aces. The product of Ennis, Mont., has been in double-figure kills in 14 of 20 matches, including a season-best 18 kills at Northern Arizona. Last week against Montana, she recorded 14 kills, a .344 attack mark, one assist, once ace, fine digs and two blocks. Kamps moved into sixth on MSU's all-time block assists chart last weekend with 312, while her 328 total career blocks rank eighth all-time. Kamps was a Second Team All-Big Sky pick in the spring of 2021 after averaging 1.49 kills and .97 blocks per set in the shortened 15-match season. Last year, she totaled 242 kills (1.98 kps). Kamps recorded a career-high 23 kills at Eastern Washington and had six matches hitting .300 or better. Kamps also posted 100 blocks, averaging .82 per contest.
LINDSETH LEGACY:
Sophomore libero Lauren Lindseth is part of Bobcat history as one-half of the first mother/daughter duo to play volleyball at MSU. Lindseth's mother - Kelly Modrow (MOD-row) - played for the Blue and Gold from 1992-1996. The native of Minnetonka, Minn., (Hopkins HS) played in 110 matches and 359 sets. In all, Modrow's career totals include: 889 kills, 733 digs, 128 blocks and 87 service aces wearing the No. 2 jersey, as well.
YOU'RE KILLIN' ME SMALLS:
As a team, the Cats rank third in the Big Sky averaging 12.77 kps.
HARD BLOCK CAFE`:
Montana State recorded 10 team blocks in its win over Montana on Friday night. Emma Pence led the way with five total blocks, including three solo blocks. On the season, Jordan Radick and Jourdain Kamps rank first and second, respectively on the team, averaging 1.10 and 1.00 blocks per set. As a team, the Bobcats rank fifth in the Big Sky Conference averaging 2.18 blocks per set.
LENDING A HAND:
Junior college transfer Nellie Stevenson is averaging 7.97 assists per set. Last week, the transfer from Feather River (CA) College dished out 34 assists and added 10 digs and three blocks in MSU's win over Montana. Junior Audrey Hofer played in four sets and notched 8 assists vs. Montana. The Helena Capital product also posted three digs. As a team, the Bobcat setters rank fifth in the Big Sky dishing out 11.11 aps.
E-RADICK-CATION:
Sophomore middle blocker Jordan Radick paces the Cats at the net averaging 1.10 blocks per set.
A PARTING NOTE:
Kira Thomsen's 1,451 career kills rank 15th all-time on the Big Sky Conference kills' chart.
Montana State will close out its three-match homestand this week when it faces Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona in Big Sky Conference action. MSU hosts UNC on Thursday at 7 p.m., and NAU on Saturday at 7 p.m. Both matches are slated for Shroyer Gym.
FACTOID OF THE WEEK:
With its victory over Montana last Friday night, the Bobcats now lead the all-time series with the Grizzlies 62-61 dating back to the 1975 season.
THE WEEK THAT WAS:
After spending the last two years in Missoula the Main Line Trophy now resides in Bozeman after Kira Thomsen's match-high 20 kills lifted Montana State past Montana 25-19, 24-26, 25-21, 25-13 on Friday night in front of 4,187 fans in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. Thomsen, a senior outside hitter from Parker, Colo., tied the all-time Montana State kills record at 1,451 with six put-aways in the fourth set. Also in double-digit kills for the Bobcats was Jourdain Kamps with 18. Defensively, Lauren Lindseth paced MSU with 18 digs, while Thomsen and Neilie Stevenson added 11 and 10, respectively. Pence finished with eight kills and a team-high five blocks, while Coutrney Weatherby came off the bench to record eight kills and a .333 attack mark. Stevenson dished out 34 assists in the win.
RPI RANKINGS:
Northern Colorado (134) is the highest ranked Big Sky school in the most recent RPI listing. The Bears are followed by Sacramento State (137), Weber State (141), Montana State (168), Portland State (178), Montana (199), Northern Arizona (247), Idaho State (254), Eastern Washington (278), and Idaho (331).
ONE AWAY:
Montana State senior Kira Thomsen is one kill away from becoming the all-time kills leader at Montana State. The product of Parker, Colorado, is currently tied with Diane Terrall (1978-81) at 1,451 career kills.
LIFE HACKS:
Montana State senior Kira Thomsen ranks first in Montana State history with 4,183 total attacks since her freshman season in 2019. Former Ranchester, Wyo., native Stephanie Laya held the old mark of 3,774 swings from 1997-2000. Thomsen's 4,138 total attacks also ranks 13th in Big Sky history. Lynda Johnson of Portland State ranks No. 1 with 5,183.
SCOUTING REPORT:
Northern Colorado, the reigning Big Sky champions, are 11-10 overall and 6-4 in league action after splitting a pair of road matches last week, losing 3-0 at Sacramento State, before rebounding with a 3-0 sweep at Portland State. Last week, the Bears were led by MaKenzie Harris, a 6-0 fifth-year outside hitter from Eaton, Colo., who recorded seven kills against Sacramento State before posting a double-double with 15 kills and ten digs in UNC's win at PSU. Also helping the Bears past the Vikings was middle blocker Isabel Bennett, a 5-11 product of Aurora, Colo., who notched 13 kills and three blocks. On the season, Harris leads Northern Colorado averaging 3.30 kills per set, while setter Syd Cole is dishing out 9.85 assists per contest. MSU defeated the Bears 15-25, 25-27, 25-22, 25-17, 15-11 on Oct. 7 in Greeley. Joudain Kamps sparked the comeback with 17 kills, while Kira Thomsen and Camryn Greenwald added 15 and 10 kills, respectively. Northern Arizona is 5-16 overall and 2-8 in Big Sky play. The Lumberjacks play at Montana on Thursday.
SERVING NOTICE:
Montana State is fourth in the Big Sky Conference, averaging 1.68 aces per set. The number ranks 90th in the nation. Individually, Kira Thomsen is second in the league averaging .44 aces per set, which ranks 66th nationally.
PACKING THE PLACE:
Montana State finished 39th in the nation averaging 1,292 fans per game, last fall. On Sept. 30, 2022, Montana State set a Big Sky Conference and State of Montana record when 6,457 fans jammed Worthington Arena. MSU's average attendance was higher than notable programs such as UCLA, LSU, and Notre Dame. After seeing a season-high 4,187 fans in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on Friday night, the Bobcats are averaging 1,220 fans, which ranks 59th in the nation and ahead of notable programs like Kansas, LSU, Boise State, Oregon State and Duke.
AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE:
Bobcat senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen ranks first in the Big Sky Conference in attacks, averaging 11.36 swings per set. That number also ranks 16th in the nation. In addition, the product of Parker, Colorado is first in the Big Sky averaging 4.01 kills per set, which is the 33rd best average in the country. Thomen's 4.60 points per set are tops in the Big Sky and rank 38th overall.
AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE x2:
As a unit, the Bobcats are third in the Big Sky averaging 36.00 swings per set, which ranks 53rd in the nation.
TOUTING THOMSEN:
Senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen, a three-time all-Big Sky Conference selection, is having an impressive final season with the Bobcats. She currently leads the league in kills per set (4.01) and points (4.60). Thomsen's 2.44 digs per set is second on the Bobcat squad, while her .229 attack mark ranks third. This season, Thomsen has been in double-digit kills in 17 of 20 matches, including a season-high 28 kills against St. Thomas (MN). She had a 19-match streak of double-figure kills dating back to Oct. 22, 2022, snapped after recording four against Cal on Sept. 15. Last season, Thomsen recorded a career-high 32 kills in MSU's 3-2 win over Portland State. Her 1,451 career kills rank first on MSU's all-time kills chart- tied with Diane Terrall (1978-81). Thomsen's 4,183 total career attacks is the most all-time. Thomsen went over the 1,000-career digs mark against Nevada making her tenth member of MSU's 1,000-Dig Club. She is now just one of four players in Montana State history to record 1,000 kills/digs - joining Meggie Malyurek, Stephanie Laya, and Mindy Nowak. On Nov. 18, 2022, Thomsen was named the GameChanger/AVCA Division National Player of the Week (the first in MSU history) after averaging 6.0 kills and 6.4 points per set as MSU knocked off Portland State and Sacramento State. Last week, she totaled 20 kills, a .250 attack mark, four service aces, and 11 digs, leading the Bobcats to a 3-1 win over rival Montana.
GOTTA DIG IT:
MSU libero Lauren Lindseth ranks seventh in the Big Sky averaging 3.92 saves per game. Last week she totaled 18 (4.5) saves as MSU defeated Montana 3-1 in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. On Aug. 31, Lindseth recorded a career-high 34 digs against St. Thomas (MN). She has recorded 17 matches in double-digit digs this fall. Last season, Lindseth was in double-digit digs in 22 matches, including a streak of 13 consecutive matches in double-figures. In addition, she went over the 20-dig plateau on nine occasions. Her 475 digs last fall ranks fifth in a single season at MSU. Lindseth earned All-Big Sky Tourney honors after averaging 3.56 digs in two matches, which included 24 digs in MSU's quarterfinal upset over Weber State.
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS:
Jourdain (Klein) Kamps is another Bobcat enjoying an outstanding season to date. She is averaging 2.82 kills per set, while hitting a team-best .275 from the floor. In addition, she is averaging 1.67 digs and 1.00 blocks per contest and has chipped in 12 aces. The product of Ennis, Mont., has been in double-figure kills in 14 of 20 matches, including a season-best 18 kills at Northern Arizona. Last week against Montana, she recorded 14 kills, a .344 attack mark, one assist, once ace, fine digs and two blocks. Kamps moved into sixth on MSU's all-time block assists chart last weekend with 312, while her 328 total career blocks rank eighth all-time. Kamps was a Second Team All-Big Sky pick in the spring of 2021 after averaging 1.49 kills and .97 blocks per set in the shortened 15-match season. Last year, she totaled 242 kills (1.98 kps). Kamps recorded a career-high 23 kills at Eastern Washington and had six matches hitting .300 or better. Kamps also posted 100 blocks, averaging .82 per contest.
LINDSETH LEGACY:
Sophomore libero Lauren Lindseth is part of Bobcat history as one-half of the first mother/daughter duo to play volleyball at MSU. Lindseth's mother - Kelly Modrow (MOD-row) - played for the Blue and Gold from 1992-1996. The native of Minnetonka, Minn., (Hopkins HS) played in 110 matches and 359 sets. In all, Modrow's career totals include: 889 kills, 733 digs, 128 blocks and 87 service aces wearing the No. 2 jersey, as well.
YOU'RE KILLIN' ME SMALLS:
As a team, the Cats rank third in the Big Sky averaging 12.77 kps.
HARD BLOCK CAFE`:
Montana State recorded 10 team blocks in its win over Montana on Friday night. Emma Pence led the way with five total blocks, including three solo blocks. On the season, Jordan Radick and Jourdain Kamps rank first and second, respectively on the team, averaging 1.10 and 1.00 blocks per set. As a team, the Bobcats rank fifth in the Big Sky Conference averaging 2.18 blocks per set.
LENDING A HAND:
Junior college transfer Nellie Stevenson is averaging 7.97 assists per set. Last week, the transfer from Feather River (CA) College dished out 34 assists and added 10 digs and three blocks in MSU's win over Montana. Junior Audrey Hofer played in four sets and notched 8 assists vs. Montana. The Helena Capital product also posted three digs. As a team, the Bobcat setters rank fifth in the Big Sky dishing out 11.11 aps.
E-RADICK-CATION:
Sophomore middle blocker Jordan Radick paces the Cats at the net averaging 1.10 blocks per set.
A PARTING NOTE:
Kira Thomsen's 1,451 career kills rank 15th all-time on the Big Sky Conference kills' chart.
Players Mentioned
MB/OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
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