Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
Cats Show Consistency in Blue-Gold Scrimmage
8/21/2024 10:31:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
“I thought there was some really nice volleyball moments,” Houk said. “And to be this early in the season and have those things clicking and rolling a little bit- I thought it was great.”
Montana State second-year head coach Matt Houk was cautiously optimistic with his team's first outing of the season in front of a crowd as its annual Blue-Gold scrimmage ended in a draw with both squads taking two sets off the other on Wednesday night in Shroyer Gym.
"I thought that was a really good scrimmage," said Houk, who guided the Bobcats to a program best 25-9 record and NIVC Fab Four appearance, last fall. "We talked to the team about what the best version of us could look like tonight. We're not trying to look like whatever we are going to look like in November, so you must set the standards appropriately of where you're at, and we're at 10 days of practice.
"There's going to be some choppy, low points at times, but we've also challenged them to control the things we can control and set the tone for how we're going to play," he added.
With nine letterwinners returning, including five starters and libero Lauren Lindseth, MSU's strengths are with its middle blockers, setters, opposite side hitter, and Lindseth, its defensive dynamo.
The big question is who will fill the shoes of MSU's all-time career kills leader Kira Thomsen, who wrapped up her senior season last fall being named to the VolleyballMag.com All-America Honorable Mention squad.
Redshirt-freshman Karli Heidemann helped fill the void Wednesday night. The product of Diller, Neb., finished with a team-high 22 kills with a .395 attack mark.
"Karli had a really good night to show our fan base that when you lose one (Thomsen), it's next person up," Houk said. "And that's what good teams do. We have a good mix on the outside and we can show a lot of different looks."
Also, posting double-digit kills were sixth year opposite Jourdain Kamps, who tallied 15 kills, while hitting .297. Redshirt-freshman Erika Gustafson also got in on the action playing in the middle and on the outside, accounting for 14 kills, a .267 attack mark and four blocks. Senior middle Jordan Radick finished with seven kills, a .500 attack mark and four blocks, while setters Audrey Hofer and Nellie Stevenson dished out 39 and 38 assists, respectively.
"I thought there was some really nice volleyball moments," Houk said. "And to be this early in the season and have those things clicking and rolling a little bit- I thought it was great."
Defensively, Lindseth notched a team-high 17 digs, while senior Courtney Weatherby added 11.
"The more court we can give Lauren the better it makes us as a whole," Houk commented.
MSU plays an exhibition match against South Dakota Mines, Saturday, Aug. 24 at Cody (Wyo.) High School beginning at 5 p.m. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
"I thought that was a really good scrimmage," said Houk, who guided the Bobcats to a program best 25-9 record and NIVC Fab Four appearance, last fall. "We talked to the team about what the best version of us could look like tonight. We're not trying to look like whatever we are going to look like in November, so you must set the standards appropriately of where you're at, and we're at 10 days of practice.
"There's going to be some choppy, low points at times, but we've also challenged them to control the things we can control and set the tone for how we're going to play," he added.
With nine letterwinners returning, including five starters and libero Lauren Lindseth, MSU's strengths are with its middle blockers, setters, opposite side hitter, and Lindseth, its defensive dynamo.
The big question is who will fill the shoes of MSU's all-time career kills leader Kira Thomsen, who wrapped up her senior season last fall being named to the VolleyballMag.com All-America Honorable Mention squad.
Redshirt-freshman Karli Heidemann helped fill the void Wednesday night. The product of Diller, Neb., finished with a team-high 22 kills with a .395 attack mark.
"Karli had a really good night to show our fan base that when you lose one (Thomsen), it's next person up," Houk said. "And that's what good teams do. We have a good mix on the outside and we can show a lot of different looks."
Also, posting double-digit kills were sixth year opposite Jourdain Kamps, who tallied 15 kills, while hitting .297. Redshirt-freshman Erika Gustafson also got in on the action playing in the middle and on the outside, accounting for 14 kills, a .267 attack mark and four blocks. Senior middle Jordan Radick finished with seven kills, a .500 attack mark and four blocks, while setters Audrey Hofer and Nellie Stevenson dished out 39 and 38 assists, respectively.
"I thought there was some really nice volleyball moments," Houk said. "And to be this early in the season and have those things clicking and rolling a little bit- I thought it was great."
Defensively, Lindseth notched a team-high 17 digs, while senior Courtney Weatherby added 11.
"The more court we can give Lauren the better it makes us as a whole," Houk commented.
MSU plays an exhibition match against South Dakota Mines, Saturday, Aug. 24 at Cody (Wyo.) High School beginning at 5 p.m. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
Players Mentioned
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L/DS
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MB
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