Friday, August 25
BOZEMAN
12:30 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Oregon State
MSU Opens Season with Bobcat/Blackridge Invite
8/24/2023 10:35:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Montana State volleyball team opens its 2023 slate when it hosts the Bobcat Blackridge Invite this weekend in Shroyer Gym.
MONTANA STATE BOBCAT/ BLACKRIDGE INVITE:
The Montana State volleyball team opens its 2023 slate when it hosts the Bobcat Blackridge Invite this weekend in Shroyer Gym. MSU starts against Pac-12 opponent Oregon State on Friday at 12:30 p.m., and concludes the day against former Big Sky foe North Dakota at 7:30 p.m. The Cats wrap-up tournament play when it faces Kennesaw State on Saturday night at 7 p.m. Non-Montana State matches include North Dakota vs. Kennesaw State (10 a.m.) and Oregon State vs. Kennesaw State (5 p.m.) on Friday, and North Dakota vs. Oregon State on Saturday morning at 11 a.m.
MATT HOUK ERA BEGINS:
The Matt Houk era at Montana State officially starts on Friday at 12:30 p.m. in Shroyer Gym. Houk was named the 12th head coach in Bobcat history on Jan. 13, 2023. He previously served nine seasons at the University of Minnesota, including the last four years as associate head coach for the Golden Gophers. Houk joined Minnesota after a successful six-year stint at the University of South Dakota. At USD, he saw the Coyotes transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. In his tenure in Vermillion, Houk posted a 97-85 record and accumulated a .533 winning percentage, which was the best in school history. He has also served as an assistant at Green Bay and Milwaukee.
WELCOME BACK:
The Bobcats welcome back 15 veterans, including five starters and a libero. Returning to the MSU line-up are all-Big Sky Conference performers Kira Thomsen, Emma Pence, Jordan Radick and Jourdain (Klein) Kamps. The Cats also return starting libero Lauren Lindseth, who garnered all-Big Sky Conference Tournament accolades last November. Thomsen, a senior outside hitter from Parker, Colo., averaged 3.80 kills and 2.91 digs per set last fall guiding MSU to a 14-16 overall mark and a 9-7 Big Sky finish. Radick, a junior middle blocker from Bozeman, led MSU with a .311 attack mark, while averaging 2.74 kills and .85 blocks per contest.
SEASON OPENERS:
Since the 1980 campaign the Bobcats are 24-19 in season openers. Last fall, MSU dropped its opener to San Francisco 3-2.
SCOUTING REPORT:
Montana State's first opponent of the season is Pac-12 foe Oregon State. The Beavers own an 11-6 advantage over the Bobcats in the all-time series dating back to the 1976 season. OSU has won three straight in the series, the last coming on Sept. 4, 1992, in a 3-0 decision. Montana State's last win over the Beavers came on Nov. 13, 1981- a 3-2 victory in Corvallis. Last season, OSU posted a 7-23 overall mark and a 2-18 record in league action. The Beavers, under the direction of first-year head coach Lindsey Behonick, return senior Mychael Vernon, a 5-11 outside hitter, who totaled 353 kills, averaging 3.30 kps.
BOBCATS VS. PAC-12:
Montana State is 40-71 all-time against schools in the current Pac-12 Conference. MSU's last win over a Pac-12 school was a 3-1 victory over Utah on Oct. 12, 1990, in Shroyer Gym.
FAMILIAR FOE:
Montana State will face former Big Sky Conference rival North Dakota on Friday night. UND holds a 10-4 advantage in the all-time series, but the Bobcats have captured the last two meetings, including a 3-1 decision last September in Grand Forks. In that match, MSU's Jourdain (Klein) Kamps, Courtney Weatherby and Avery Turnage posted 12, 11, and ten kills, respectively. Junior rightside hitter Ashlyn Olson guided the Fighting Hawks with 13 kills. Olson and Elizabeth Norris return as UND's kill leaders after averaging 2.54 and 2.25 kills per set, respectively last fall. The Fighting Hawks are under the leadership of Jesse Tupac, who is in his second year in Grand Forks after guiding UND to a 12-18 overall mark and a 9-9 sixth place finish in Summit League action.
HELLO, MY NAME IS:
Montana State and Kennesaw State will meet for the first time on Saturday night in Shroyer Gym. The Owls reside in Kennesaw, Ga., which is just under 30 miles Northwest of Atlanta. Last season, KSU posted an 18-10 overall mark and finished sixth in the Atlantic Sun Conference - ASUN - with a 10-6 slate. The 12-member league also includes such programs as Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Florida Gulf Coast, Jacksonville, and Stetson. The Owls are led by Keith Schunzel who is in his 11th season. KSU returns nine letterwinners, including five starters from last year's squad. Pacing the Owls are Manu Johnsen, a 5-11 outside hitter, and Claire Parsons, a 6-2 middle, who averaged 3.09 and 1.87 kills per set.
AND THEY WERE SWINGIN':
Montana State was third in the Big Sky Conference, averaging 12.77 kills per set, last fall. The average ranked behind Portland State (14.29) and Northern Colorado (14.11). Bobcat senior Kira Thomsen finished second in kills per game, averaging 3.92 per set, totaling 231kills in all. Thomsen's 4.46 points per set were also second best in the conference.
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 ranked better than notable programs such as Indiana, UCLA, LSU, and Notre Dame.
TOUTING THOMSEN:
Senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen was an All-Big Sky Conference First Team selection last fall after leading the Bobcats in kills per set (3.80), service aces (.34), and points per set (4.32). Thomsen, a native of Parker, Colo., missed the first 14 matches of the season, before returning to the starting rotation three matches into the Big Sky Conference slate. For the season, Thomsen notched 15 double-doubles and had a career-high 32 kills in MSU's 3-2 win over Portland State. Her 1,138 career kills rank sixth on MSU's all-time kills chart and her 3,297 total career attacks ranks seventh all-time. 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. For the two matches, she totaled 54 kills, hit .405 and added 29 digs, three aces, two assists and a block.
BOZEMAN'S OWN:
Junior middle blocker Jordan Radick garnered Second Team All-Big Sky honors last season after averaging 2.24 kills per set with a .311 attack mark. For the season, the Bozeman product totaled 235 kills and added 89 blocks, averaging .85 per outing. Last fall, Radick registered 11 matches in double-digit kills, including 15 kills on two occasions against Montana and Weber State. In addition, she notched nine matches hitting .350 or better.
THE MENACE FORM ENNIS:
Jourdain (Klein) Kamps returns for her junior campaign after being with the Bobcat program since her freshman-redshirt season in 2019. The Ennis, Mont., native 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, Kamps played in all 30 matches and 122 sets, totaling 242 kills (1.98 kps). She 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.
GOTTA DIG IT:
The Bobcats took a step forward defensively last season, averaging 15.76 digs per set. That mark was up from 14.12 dps in 2021. Leading the way in the back row for MSU was libero Lauren Lindseth. Lindseth, a native of Great Falls, Mont., led the Bobcats with 475 digs on the season, averaging 3.89 per contest. Lindseth played in all 30 matches and 122 sets and 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, including a career-best 32 saves in MSU's upset of Boise State. Her 475 digs last fall ranked fifth in a single-season at MSU. Lindseth earned All-Big Sky Tournament honors after averaging 3.56 digs in two matches, which included 24 digs in MSU's quarterfinal upset over Weber State in Ogden, Utah. She also guided the Bobcats from the service line with a team-best 33 aces.
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 - 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.
The Montana State volleyball team opens its 2023 slate when it hosts the Bobcat Blackridge Invite this weekend in Shroyer Gym. MSU starts against Pac-12 opponent Oregon State on Friday at 12:30 p.m., and concludes the day against former Big Sky foe North Dakota at 7:30 p.m. The Cats wrap-up tournament play when it faces Kennesaw State on Saturday night at 7 p.m. Non-Montana State matches include North Dakota vs. Kennesaw State (10 a.m.) and Oregon State vs. Kennesaw State (5 p.m.) on Friday, and North Dakota vs. Oregon State on Saturday morning at 11 a.m.
MATT HOUK ERA BEGINS:
The Matt Houk era at Montana State officially starts on Friday at 12:30 p.m. in Shroyer Gym. Houk was named the 12th head coach in Bobcat history on Jan. 13, 2023. He previously served nine seasons at the University of Minnesota, including the last four years as associate head coach for the Golden Gophers. Houk joined Minnesota after a successful six-year stint at the University of South Dakota. At USD, he saw the Coyotes transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. In his tenure in Vermillion, Houk posted a 97-85 record and accumulated a .533 winning percentage, which was the best in school history. He has also served as an assistant at Green Bay and Milwaukee.
WELCOME BACK:
The Bobcats welcome back 15 veterans, including five starters and a libero. Returning to the MSU line-up are all-Big Sky Conference performers Kira Thomsen, Emma Pence, Jordan Radick and Jourdain (Klein) Kamps. The Cats also return starting libero Lauren Lindseth, who garnered all-Big Sky Conference Tournament accolades last November. Thomsen, a senior outside hitter from Parker, Colo., averaged 3.80 kills and 2.91 digs per set last fall guiding MSU to a 14-16 overall mark and a 9-7 Big Sky finish. Radick, a junior middle blocker from Bozeman, led MSU with a .311 attack mark, while averaging 2.74 kills and .85 blocks per contest.
SEASON OPENERS:
Since the 1980 campaign the Bobcats are 24-19 in season openers. Last fall, MSU dropped its opener to San Francisco 3-2.
SCOUTING REPORT:
Montana State's first opponent of the season is Pac-12 foe Oregon State. The Beavers own an 11-6 advantage over the Bobcats in the all-time series dating back to the 1976 season. OSU has won three straight in the series, the last coming on Sept. 4, 1992, in a 3-0 decision. Montana State's last win over the Beavers came on Nov. 13, 1981- a 3-2 victory in Corvallis. Last season, OSU posted a 7-23 overall mark and a 2-18 record in league action. The Beavers, under the direction of first-year head coach Lindsey Behonick, return senior Mychael Vernon, a 5-11 outside hitter, who totaled 353 kills, averaging 3.30 kps.
BOBCATS VS. PAC-12:
Montana State is 40-71 all-time against schools in the current Pac-12 Conference. MSU's last win over a Pac-12 school was a 3-1 victory over Utah on Oct. 12, 1990, in Shroyer Gym.
FAMILIAR FOE:
Montana State will face former Big Sky Conference rival North Dakota on Friday night. UND holds a 10-4 advantage in the all-time series, but the Bobcats have captured the last two meetings, including a 3-1 decision last September in Grand Forks. In that match, MSU's Jourdain (Klein) Kamps, Courtney Weatherby and Avery Turnage posted 12, 11, and ten kills, respectively. Junior rightside hitter Ashlyn Olson guided the Fighting Hawks with 13 kills. Olson and Elizabeth Norris return as UND's kill leaders after averaging 2.54 and 2.25 kills per set, respectively last fall. The Fighting Hawks are under the leadership of Jesse Tupac, who is in his second year in Grand Forks after guiding UND to a 12-18 overall mark and a 9-9 sixth place finish in Summit League action.
HELLO, MY NAME IS:
Montana State and Kennesaw State will meet for the first time on Saturday night in Shroyer Gym. The Owls reside in Kennesaw, Ga., which is just under 30 miles Northwest of Atlanta. Last season, KSU posted an 18-10 overall mark and finished sixth in the Atlantic Sun Conference - ASUN - with a 10-6 slate. The 12-member league also includes such programs as Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Florida Gulf Coast, Jacksonville, and Stetson. The Owls are led by Keith Schunzel who is in his 11th season. KSU returns nine letterwinners, including five starters from last year's squad. Pacing the Owls are Manu Johnsen, a 5-11 outside hitter, and Claire Parsons, a 6-2 middle, who averaged 3.09 and 1.87 kills per set.
AND THEY WERE SWINGIN':
Montana State was third in the Big Sky Conference, averaging 12.77 kills per set, last fall. The average ranked behind Portland State (14.29) and Northern Colorado (14.11). Bobcat senior Kira Thomsen finished second in kills per game, averaging 3.92 per set, totaling 231kills in all. Thomsen's 4.46 points per set were also second best in the conference.
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 ranked better than notable programs such as Indiana, UCLA, LSU, and Notre Dame.
TOUTING THOMSEN:
Senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen was an All-Big Sky Conference First Team selection last fall after leading the Bobcats in kills per set (3.80), service aces (.34), and points per set (4.32). Thomsen, a native of Parker, Colo., missed the first 14 matches of the season, before returning to the starting rotation three matches into the Big Sky Conference slate. For the season, Thomsen notched 15 double-doubles and had a career-high 32 kills in MSU's 3-2 win over Portland State. Her 1,138 career kills rank sixth on MSU's all-time kills chart and her 3,297 total career attacks ranks seventh all-time. 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. For the two matches, she totaled 54 kills, hit .405 and added 29 digs, three aces, two assists and a block.
BOZEMAN'S OWN:
Junior middle blocker Jordan Radick garnered Second Team All-Big Sky honors last season after averaging 2.24 kills per set with a .311 attack mark. For the season, the Bozeman product totaled 235 kills and added 89 blocks, averaging .85 per outing. Last fall, Radick registered 11 matches in double-digit kills, including 15 kills on two occasions against Montana and Weber State. In addition, she notched nine matches hitting .350 or better.
THE MENACE FORM ENNIS:
Jourdain (Klein) Kamps returns for her junior campaign after being with the Bobcat program since her freshman-redshirt season in 2019. The Ennis, Mont., native 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, Kamps played in all 30 matches and 122 sets, totaling 242 kills (1.98 kps). She 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.
GOTTA DIG IT:
The Bobcats took a step forward defensively last season, averaging 15.76 digs per set. That mark was up from 14.12 dps in 2021. Leading the way in the back row for MSU was libero Lauren Lindseth. Lindseth, a native of Great Falls, Mont., led the Bobcats with 475 digs on the season, averaging 3.89 per contest. Lindseth played in all 30 matches and 122 sets and 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, including a career-best 32 saves in MSU's upset of Boise State. Her 475 digs last fall ranked fifth in a single-season at MSU. Lindseth earned All-Big Sky Tournament honors after averaging 3.56 digs in two matches, which included 24 digs in MSU's quarterfinal upset over Weber State in Ogden, Utah. She also guided the Bobcats from the service line with a team-best 33 aces.
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 - 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.
Players Mentioned
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
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