Thursday, September 14
Reno, NV - No Live Streaming Available
7 p.m. (MT)
Montana State University
at
Nevada
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Cats Travel to Reno for Wolf Pack Tournament
9/13/2023 2:13:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Montana State travels to its final non-conference tournament of the season on Thursday and Friday. The Bobcats will take part in the Wolf Pack Tournament hosted by the University of Nevada.
NEXT UP:
Montana State travels to its final non-conference tournament of the season on Thursday and Friday. The Bobcats will take part in the Wolf Pack Tournament hosted by the University of Nevada. MSU faces Nevada on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. (MT), and will conclude action on Friday against Pac-12 opponent Cal at 12 p.m. (MT).
FOLLOWING THE CATS:
Montana State's matches this week at the Wolf Pack Tournament at Nevada will not be streamed. Fans can follow along with the live stats of both matches by going to msubobcats.com, volleyball, schedule, and 'live stats' link.
QUICK RESET:
The Bobcats went 2-0 last week, defeating Seattle U twice in Shroyer Gym. MSU took the first match with SU 26-24, 25-19, 18-25, 25-18 as Kira Thomsen and Jourdain Kamps paced the Bobcats with 14 kills apiece, while Madilyn Siebler and Camryn Greenwald added 10. Defensively, MSU was paced by Lauren Lindseth with 20 digs. On Friday afternoon, the Bobcats swept the Redhawks 25-22, 25-13, 25-22 as MSU hit an impressive .283 from the floor. Thomsen and Kamps once again guided the Bobcats with 13 and ten kills, respectively. Lindseth recorded a team-high 12 saves.
AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE:
Three weeks into the 2023 season, Montana State senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen has established herself as one of the top offensive players in the nation and Big Sky Conference. The product of Parker, Colo., leads the Big Sky in five statistical categories. She is also ranked among the top 22 players in the nation in six statistical categories. They include total attacks (#9th, 387); attacks per set (11th, 12.09); points (13th, 160); kills per set (15th, 4.47); total kills (16th, 143); and points per set (22nd, 5.00).
QUICK START:
The Bobcats are off to a 7-1 start in the non-conference portion of its schedule. It's the best start to a season since the 2001 Dave Gantt-coached Bobcats opened 12-0.
LIONS & TIGERS & BEARS, OH MY:
The Bobcats face Pac-12 opponent Cal on Friday afternoon at the Nevada Wolf Pack Tournament. The Bears are one of 14 NCAA Division I volleyball teams to remain undefeated after the opening three weeks of action.
SCOUTING REPORT:
Nevada is 3-6 overall after going 1-2 at the CBU/UCR Invitational last weekend in Riverside, Calif. The Wolf Pack defeated UC Riverside 3-0 and dropped 3-2 decisions to Oregon State and Cal Baptist- two teams the Bobcats defeated this season. Two weeks ago, UN suffered a 3-2 setback to Seattle U, a team MSU beat twice last week in Shroyer Gym. The Wolf Pack have victories over Iowa (3-2), Eastern Washington (3-0) and UCR (3-0). Individually, Nevada is led by the one-two punch of Nicanora Clarke and Sia Liilii, who averaged 3.53 and 3.34 kills per set, respectively. The duo also leads UN from the service line. Clarke, a 6-0 outside hitter from Kaolei, Hawaii, has been in double-digit kills in all nine matches, including a season-best 19 kills against Seattle U. Defensively, the Wolf Pack are paced by libero Hikialani Kaohelaulii, who averages 5.00 digs per set. Cal is 9-0 on the season after winning three matches at the Bobcat Classic in San Marcos, Texas, last weekend. The Bears defeated Southeastern Louisiana (3-1), Texas State (3-1), and Abilene Christian (3-0). Cal also notched a victory over Big Sky Conference member Portland State (3-1) on Sept. 1. Freshman Maggie Li, a 6-3 outside hitter from Beijing, China, has made an immediate impact for Cal averaging 4.69 kills and 2.84 digs per set, en route to being named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week for three consecutive weeks. The Bears are also receiving an offensive spark from Sam Taumoepeau, a 6-0 senior outside hitter from San Diego, Calif., who chips in 3.84 kills and 2.16 digs per set. As a team, Cal is hitting.254 from the floor, while holding its opponents to just .115. The Bears also hold a sizeable advantage in kills averaging 14.16 per set, while limiting its opponents to 9.13 kps.
YOU'RE KILLIN' ME SMALLS:
Montana State leads the Big Sky in kills, averaging 13.63 per set. In addition, two Bobcats are ranked among the league's top 10 as Kira Thomsen is listed No. 1 at 4.47 kps, while Jourdain Kamps is No. 8 at 3.06 kps.
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 Indiana, UCLA, LSU, and Notre Dame.
WE GET THE POINT:
As a team, Montana State leads the Big Sky Conference averaging 17.60 points per set. Senior Kira Thomsen is tops in the league and 22nd in the nation averaging 5.00 per contest. Junior Jourdain Kamps is seventh in the Big Sky averaging 3.69 points per set.
GOTTA DIG IT:
After three weekends of play MSU libero Lauren Lindseth ranks third in the Big Sky averaging 4.41 saves per game. She was in double-digit digs in both matches against Seattle U last week, including 20 saves in MSU's 3-1 on Thursday night, and now has upped her current streak of double-figure digs to eight matches. Two weeks ago, Lindseth recorded a career-high 34 saves against St. Thomas (MN). Last season, she 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. Her 475 digs last fall ranks 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 Cats from the service line with a team-best 33 aces.
TOUTING THOMSEN:
Senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen, a three-time all-Big Sky Conference selection, is off to an impressive start for the Bobcats. Thomsen currently leads the league in kills per set (4.47) and points (5.00). Thomsen's 2.50 digs per set is second on the Bobcat squad, while her .256 attack mark is also second best. This season, Thomsen has been in double-digit kills in all eight matches, including a season-high 28 kills against St. Thomas (MN). She is currently on an 18-match streak of double-figure kills dating back to Oct. 22, 2022. Last season, Thomsen recorded a career-high 32 kills in MSU's 3-2 win over Portland State. Her 1,281 career kills rank fifth on MSU's all-time kills chart and her 3,684 total career attacks ranks fifth, as well. Last week, Thomsen's 16 digs gave her 992 for her career. She is now just eight digs shy of becoming the fourth player 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 weekend, she totaled 27 kills and 16 digs with a .286 attack mark.
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS:
Jourdain (Klein) Kamps is another Bobcat to get out of the gates early. On the season, she is averaging 3.06 kills per set, while hitting a team-best .313 from the floor. In addition, she is averaging 1.94 digs and .78 blocks per contest and has chipped in seven aces. The product of Ennis, Mont., has been in double-figure kills in all eight matches, including a season-best 14 kills on two occasions as the Bobcats defeated Seattle U and Kennesaw State. Last week in two matches against SU, Kamps totaled 24 kills, averaging 3.43 per set, while hitting .333. She also registered 16 digs, three blocks and an ace. Kamps currently ranks fourth in the Big Sky Conference with a .313 attack mark and is seventh in points (3.69 ppg) and eighth in kills (3.06 kps). 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 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.
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.
HARD BLOCK CAFE`:
Montana State finished last week averaging 2.00 blocks per set in two matches against Seattle U. MSU middle blocker Avery Turnage currently ranks second in the Big Sky Conference averaging 1.29 blocks per set. Turnage, a senior from Idaho Falls, recorded a career-high 10 blocks in Montana State's 3-1 win over North Dakota on Aug. 26. As a team, the Bobcats rank second in the Big Sky (2.22 bps), just behind Weber State (2.63 bps).
LENDING A HAND:
Junior college transfer Nellie Stevenson had a solid week in Montana State's two-match sweep of Seattle U. For the two matches, the transfer from Feather River (CA) College averaged 12.14 assists and 2.00 digs per set. In addition, Stevenson recorded six kills, two aces and three blocks. She had her best outing in MSU's first match with the Redhawks, recording a season-high 46 assists, while adding five kills, a .500 attack mark, five digs and two blocks. Junior setter Audrey Hofer has played in all eight matches and is averaging 4.15 assists and 1.35 digs per set. The Helena Capital product posted a season-best 35 assists in MSU's win over Kennesaw State.
Montana State travels to its final non-conference tournament of the season on Thursday and Friday. The Bobcats will take part in the Wolf Pack Tournament hosted by the University of Nevada. MSU faces Nevada on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. (MT), and will conclude action on Friday against Pac-12 opponent Cal at 12 p.m. (MT).
FOLLOWING THE CATS:
Montana State's matches this week at the Wolf Pack Tournament at Nevada will not be streamed. Fans can follow along with the live stats of both matches by going to msubobcats.com, volleyball, schedule, and 'live stats' link.
QUICK RESET:
The Bobcats went 2-0 last week, defeating Seattle U twice in Shroyer Gym. MSU took the first match with SU 26-24, 25-19, 18-25, 25-18 as Kira Thomsen and Jourdain Kamps paced the Bobcats with 14 kills apiece, while Madilyn Siebler and Camryn Greenwald added 10. Defensively, MSU was paced by Lauren Lindseth with 20 digs. On Friday afternoon, the Bobcats swept the Redhawks 25-22, 25-13, 25-22 as MSU hit an impressive .283 from the floor. Thomsen and Kamps once again guided the Bobcats with 13 and ten kills, respectively. Lindseth recorded a team-high 12 saves.
AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE:
Three weeks into the 2023 season, Montana State senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen has established herself as one of the top offensive players in the nation and Big Sky Conference. The product of Parker, Colo., leads the Big Sky in five statistical categories. She is also ranked among the top 22 players in the nation in six statistical categories. They include total attacks (#9th, 387); attacks per set (11th, 12.09); points (13th, 160); kills per set (15th, 4.47); total kills (16th, 143); and points per set (22nd, 5.00).
QUICK START:
The Bobcats are off to a 7-1 start in the non-conference portion of its schedule. It's the best start to a season since the 2001 Dave Gantt-coached Bobcats opened 12-0.
LIONS & TIGERS & BEARS, OH MY:
The Bobcats face Pac-12 opponent Cal on Friday afternoon at the Nevada Wolf Pack Tournament. The Bears are one of 14 NCAA Division I volleyball teams to remain undefeated after the opening three weeks of action.
SCOUTING REPORT:
Nevada is 3-6 overall after going 1-2 at the CBU/UCR Invitational last weekend in Riverside, Calif. The Wolf Pack defeated UC Riverside 3-0 and dropped 3-2 decisions to Oregon State and Cal Baptist- two teams the Bobcats defeated this season. Two weeks ago, UN suffered a 3-2 setback to Seattle U, a team MSU beat twice last week in Shroyer Gym. The Wolf Pack have victories over Iowa (3-2), Eastern Washington (3-0) and UCR (3-0). Individually, Nevada is led by the one-two punch of Nicanora Clarke and Sia Liilii, who averaged 3.53 and 3.34 kills per set, respectively. The duo also leads UN from the service line. Clarke, a 6-0 outside hitter from Kaolei, Hawaii, has been in double-digit kills in all nine matches, including a season-best 19 kills against Seattle U. Defensively, the Wolf Pack are paced by libero Hikialani Kaohelaulii, who averages 5.00 digs per set. Cal is 9-0 on the season after winning three matches at the Bobcat Classic in San Marcos, Texas, last weekend. The Bears defeated Southeastern Louisiana (3-1), Texas State (3-1), and Abilene Christian (3-0). Cal also notched a victory over Big Sky Conference member Portland State (3-1) on Sept. 1. Freshman Maggie Li, a 6-3 outside hitter from Beijing, China, has made an immediate impact for Cal averaging 4.69 kills and 2.84 digs per set, en route to being named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week for three consecutive weeks. The Bears are also receiving an offensive spark from Sam Taumoepeau, a 6-0 senior outside hitter from San Diego, Calif., who chips in 3.84 kills and 2.16 digs per set. As a team, Cal is hitting.254 from the floor, while holding its opponents to just .115. The Bears also hold a sizeable advantage in kills averaging 14.16 per set, while limiting its opponents to 9.13 kps.
YOU'RE KILLIN' ME SMALLS:
Montana State leads the Big Sky in kills, averaging 13.63 per set. In addition, two Bobcats are ranked among the league's top 10 as Kira Thomsen is listed No. 1 at 4.47 kps, while Jourdain Kamps is No. 8 at 3.06 kps.
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 Indiana, UCLA, LSU, and Notre Dame.
WE GET THE POINT:
As a team, Montana State leads the Big Sky Conference averaging 17.60 points per set. Senior Kira Thomsen is tops in the league and 22nd in the nation averaging 5.00 per contest. Junior Jourdain Kamps is seventh in the Big Sky averaging 3.69 points per set.
GOTTA DIG IT:
After three weekends of play MSU libero Lauren Lindseth ranks third in the Big Sky averaging 4.41 saves per game. She was in double-digit digs in both matches against Seattle U last week, including 20 saves in MSU's 3-1 on Thursday night, and now has upped her current streak of double-figure digs to eight matches. Two weeks ago, Lindseth recorded a career-high 34 saves against St. Thomas (MN). Last season, she 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. Her 475 digs last fall ranks 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 Cats from the service line with a team-best 33 aces.
TOUTING THOMSEN:
Senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen, a three-time all-Big Sky Conference selection, is off to an impressive start for the Bobcats. Thomsen currently leads the league in kills per set (4.47) and points (5.00). Thomsen's 2.50 digs per set is second on the Bobcat squad, while her .256 attack mark is also second best. This season, Thomsen has been in double-digit kills in all eight matches, including a season-high 28 kills against St. Thomas (MN). She is currently on an 18-match streak of double-figure kills dating back to Oct. 22, 2022. Last season, Thomsen recorded a career-high 32 kills in MSU's 3-2 win over Portland State. Her 1,281 career kills rank fifth on MSU's all-time kills chart and her 3,684 total career attacks ranks fifth, as well. Last week, Thomsen's 16 digs gave her 992 for her career. She is now just eight digs shy of becoming the fourth player 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 weekend, she totaled 27 kills and 16 digs with a .286 attack mark.
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS:
Jourdain (Klein) Kamps is another Bobcat to get out of the gates early. On the season, she is averaging 3.06 kills per set, while hitting a team-best .313 from the floor. In addition, she is averaging 1.94 digs and .78 blocks per contest and has chipped in seven aces. The product of Ennis, Mont., has been in double-figure kills in all eight matches, including a season-best 14 kills on two occasions as the Bobcats defeated Seattle U and Kennesaw State. Last week in two matches against SU, Kamps totaled 24 kills, averaging 3.43 per set, while hitting .333. She also registered 16 digs, three blocks and an ace. Kamps currently ranks fourth in the Big Sky Conference with a .313 attack mark and is seventh in points (3.69 ppg) and eighth in kills (3.06 kps). 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 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.
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.
HARD BLOCK CAFE`:
Montana State finished last week averaging 2.00 blocks per set in two matches against Seattle U. MSU middle blocker Avery Turnage currently ranks second in the Big Sky Conference averaging 1.29 blocks per set. Turnage, a senior from Idaho Falls, recorded a career-high 10 blocks in Montana State's 3-1 win over North Dakota on Aug. 26. As a team, the Bobcats rank second in the Big Sky (2.22 bps), just behind Weber State (2.63 bps).
LENDING A HAND:
Junior college transfer Nellie Stevenson had a solid week in Montana State's two-match sweep of Seattle U. For the two matches, the transfer from Feather River (CA) College averaged 12.14 assists and 2.00 digs per set. In addition, Stevenson recorded six kills, two aces and three blocks. She had her best outing in MSU's first match with the Redhawks, recording a season-high 46 assists, while adding five kills, a .500 attack mark, five digs and two blocks. Junior setter Audrey Hofer has played in all eight matches and is averaging 4.15 assists and 1.35 digs per set. The Helena Capital product posted a season-best 35 assists in MSU's win over Kennesaw State.
Players Mentioned
MB/OH
/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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