Head Coach Matt Houk
Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
Blue-Gold Volleyball Scrimmage Slated for Wednesday
8/20/2024 4:41:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The scrimmage is free and open to the public.
After more than a week of fall practices the Montana State volleyball squad steps on the court in a match-like environment when it hosts its annual fall Blue-Gold scrimmage on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym. The scrimmage is free and open to the public.
"We're going to mix and match the players and get a look at a lot of different combinations," said second-year Bobcat head coach Matt Houk. "The first time the team has to go out and perform with other eyes watching them always brings a level of anxiety. One of the great things about the Blue-Gold scrimmage is that we get to have that out of our system in a safer space.
"I'm sure it'll be choppy at times," he added. "We'll have some really great moments, and we'll probably have some low moments. The scrimmage will allow us to work through some things, it'll give the coaching staff an opportunity to have great dialect with them, and it will prepare us for our exhibition match, and our first match. Fans will see a team that plays hard and with some grit."
The Bobcats are coming off its best season in program history. Last fall, MSU recorded a program best 24 victories, and its 12-4 Big Sky ledger and second-place finish in Big Sky Conference action were also tops in school history. Montana State culminated its season with a final four appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship in December.
"One of the best things for our returners coming off last year's postseason run is they've got a taste of what it feels like to compete at a high level," Houk said. "There's a little different swag to them, but it's not an arrogant thing, it's more like that was cool and we were able to let it fly."
Houk returns nine letterwinners, including five starters and libero Lauren Lindseth, plus two redshirts. He also welcomes four freshmen to the program.
MSU plays an exhibition match against South Dakota Mines on Saturday in Cody, Wyo., before opening the regular season hosting Big 10 newcomer Washington on Aug. 30.
"We're going to mix and match the players and get a look at a lot of different combinations," said second-year Bobcat head coach Matt Houk. "The first time the team has to go out and perform with other eyes watching them always brings a level of anxiety. One of the great things about the Blue-Gold scrimmage is that we get to have that out of our system in a safer space.
"I'm sure it'll be choppy at times," he added. "We'll have some really great moments, and we'll probably have some low moments. The scrimmage will allow us to work through some things, it'll give the coaching staff an opportunity to have great dialect with them, and it will prepare us for our exhibition match, and our first match. Fans will see a team that plays hard and with some grit."
The Bobcats are coming off its best season in program history. Last fall, MSU recorded a program best 24 victories, and its 12-4 Big Sky ledger and second-place finish in Big Sky Conference action were also tops in school history. Montana State culminated its season with a final four appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship in December.
"One of the best things for our returners coming off last year's postseason run is they've got a taste of what it feels like to compete at a high level," Houk said. "There's a little different swag to them, but it's not an arrogant thing, it's more like that was cool and we were able to let it fly."
Houk returns nine letterwinners, including five starters and libero Lauren Lindseth, plus two redshirts. He also welcomes four freshmen to the program.
MSU plays an exhibition match against South Dakota Mines on Saturday in Cody, Wyo., before opening the regular season hosting Big 10 newcomer Washington on Aug. 30.
Players Mentioned
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