Thomsen and Kamps Garner First Team All-Big Sky Accolades
11/21/2023 3:32:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Montana State volleyball standouts Kira Thomsen and Jourdain Kamps have been named First Team All-Big Sky Conference as chosen by the league’s coaches on Tuesday afternoon, the Big Sky Conference office announced.
Montana State volleyball standouts Kira Thomsen and Jourdain Kamps have been named First Team All-Big Sky Conference as chosen by the league's coaches on Tuesday afternoon, the Big Sky Conference office announced.
Thomsen, a senior from Parker, Colo., was a unanimous selection to the all-conference squad. She also earned first team accolades last season, as well as the 2021 spring campaign as the Bobcats navigated the Covid pandemic. Thomsen was a second team pick in the fall of 2021.
"Kira carried a huge load for our team this year," said MSU head coach Matt Houk. "She was consistent in all phases of the game. It's not easy to be a six rotation outside hitter and hold up so well all year.
"She led the Big Sky in kills per set and points per set and was top five in aces per set," he added. "On top of that opponents often serve her over 50% of the time, and she plays a solid middle back defense. She earned four offensive player of the week awards, and she deserves this First Team All-Big Sky Conference accolade."
Thomsen won the league's top offensive honor this week after leading the Bobcats to a pair of victories, including a 3-2 decision over regular season champion Sacramento State on Thursday night.
Thomsen, who led the Bobcats to its highest finish (second) ever in the Big Sky standings and a school-record 12 conference victories, averaged 5.00 kills and 5.67 points per game over the course of nine sets. In total, the Parker, Colo., product registered 45 kills, a .257 attack mark, five aces, 22 digs (2.44) and two blocks.
In addition, Thomsen recorded back-to-back 20+ kill matches, posting 23 kills against Sacramento State and 22 versus Portland State. She also notched double-digit digs in both matches and has 12 double-doubles this season. Thomsen is currently on a 13-match streak in double-figure kills.
For her career, Thomsen has notched 1,567 kills, which ranks first all-time at MSU and fifth in Big Sky Conference history.
Kamps, who earned Second Team All-Big Sky honors in the spring of 2021, currently leads the team with a .258 attack mark, while averaging 2.58 kills, 3.24 points, 1.79 digs and .94 blocks per set.
One of the top right-side blockers in the league, Kamps has recorded five or more blocks on ten occasions this season, including a season-best seven blocks against Cal Baptist and Portland State. She has also produced sixteen matches in double-digit kills with a season-high 18 kills against Northern Arizona and Weber State. She registered 11 matches hitting .300 or better. Kamps is fourth on the team with 17 service aces.
"Jourdain has become one of the premier opposites in our league," Houk said. "She's one of the few six rotation opposites in the Big Sky. She has developed into a well-rounded volleyball player – she's no longer just someone who jumps high and hits hard. On top of all of that, on any given night she can be a shutdown blocker. This is a well-deserved accolade."
The Bobcats face Montana in the opening round of the Big Sky Conference Tournament, Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 4 p.m., in Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley.
Thomsen, a senior from Parker, Colo., was a unanimous selection to the all-conference squad. She also earned first team accolades last season, as well as the 2021 spring campaign as the Bobcats navigated the Covid pandemic. Thomsen was a second team pick in the fall of 2021.
"Kira carried a huge load for our team this year," said MSU head coach Matt Houk. "She was consistent in all phases of the game. It's not easy to be a six rotation outside hitter and hold up so well all year.
"She led the Big Sky in kills per set and points per set and was top five in aces per set," he added. "On top of that opponents often serve her over 50% of the time, and she plays a solid middle back defense. She earned four offensive player of the week awards, and she deserves this First Team All-Big Sky Conference accolade."
Thomsen won the league's top offensive honor this week after leading the Bobcats to a pair of victories, including a 3-2 decision over regular season champion Sacramento State on Thursday night.
Thomsen, who led the Bobcats to its highest finish (second) ever in the Big Sky standings and a school-record 12 conference victories, averaged 5.00 kills and 5.67 points per game over the course of nine sets. In total, the Parker, Colo., product registered 45 kills, a .257 attack mark, five aces, 22 digs (2.44) and two blocks.
In addition, Thomsen recorded back-to-back 20+ kill matches, posting 23 kills against Sacramento State and 22 versus Portland State. She also notched double-digit digs in both matches and has 12 double-doubles this season. Thomsen is currently on a 13-match streak in double-figure kills.
For her career, Thomsen has notched 1,567 kills, which ranks first all-time at MSU and fifth in Big Sky Conference history.
Kamps, who earned Second Team All-Big Sky honors in the spring of 2021, currently leads the team with a .258 attack mark, while averaging 2.58 kills, 3.24 points, 1.79 digs and .94 blocks per set.
One of the top right-side blockers in the league, Kamps has recorded five or more blocks on ten occasions this season, including a season-best seven blocks against Cal Baptist and Portland State. She has also produced sixteen matches in double-digit kills with a season-high 18 kills against Northern Arizona and Weber State. She registered 11 matches hitting .300 or better. Kamps is fourth on the team with 17 service aces.
"Jourdain has become one of the premier opposites in our league," Houk said. "She's one of the few six rotation opposites in the Big Sky. She has developed into a well-rounded volleyball player – she's no longer just someone who jumps high and hits hard. On top of all of that, on any given night she can be a shutdown blocker. This is a well-deserved accolade."
The Bobcats face Montana in the opening round of the Big Sky Conference Tournament, Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 4 p.m., in Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley.
Players Mentioned
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