Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
Bobcat Volleyball Opens Fall Drills
8/8/2024 8:37:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Despite the minor tweaks in coordination over the first few days, Houk was familiar with the product on the court. “We aren’t doing anything brand new. We have a ton of returnees, and they did a great job setting the tone. And the newcomers did well, which was good.”
Things looked a little different for the Montana State volleyball team as it opened fall drills on Thursday morning. Second-year head coach Matt Houk shortened the first session to adhere to security protocols for the upcoming Trump rally, which also pushed MSU out of Shroyer Gym on Friday, and in search of an alternative venue.
"It was quite an ordeal," Houk said. "We went from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., a little shorter than what we usually do; and we're happy to have found Manhattan Christian for Friday's practice. We did a lot of calling around and every gym in Bozeman and Belgrade was unavailable. We kept calling until we found availability."
Despite the minor tweaks in coordination over the first few days, Houk was familiar with the product on the court. "We aren't doing anything brand new. We have a ton of returnees, and they did a great job setting the tone. And the newcomers did well, which was good."
Houk welcomes back nine letterwinners, including five starters and libero Lauren Lindseth, that led the Bobcats to its best season in school history last fall. MSU posted a 24-9 overall record, went 12-4 in Big Sky Conference play, and won three postseason matches before falling to Wichita State in the Fab Four of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.
Two redshirts, along with four freshmen complete the 2024 roster.
"We didn't do a lot of coaching for the first day," Houk said. "We let them shake some of the rust off. We're coming off a great spring season, and the players did a fantastic job over the summer, so there isn't a lot of stress to get to where we need to go. We just need to be the best version of ourselves."
MSU hosts Big 10 newcomer Washington on Aug. 30 in its season-opener.
"After today, we have 17 days to get a lot of things accomplished," Houk stated. "It is a little different this year because we don't have to go from zero to 60 mph, because of the large chunk we have returning.
"Over the next few days, a third will be in skill development and then the rest will be putting them into some competitive situations, mixing and matching different lineups," he added.
The biggest change Houk witnessed on opening day came at the conclusion of Thursday's practice as seniors Jourdain Kamps and Audrey Hofer addressed the team.
"I was really happy to see Jourdain and Audrey talk to the team and praise them for the way they came out and battled in the first practice," Houk said. "We have a very mature team that is tough and gritty, and that's what we stand for. They talked about what we want to look like and who we are. This team believes in themselves and does an excellent job of holding themselves to the standards we have set."
"It was quite an ordeal," Houk said. "We went from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., a little shorter than what we usually do; and we're happy to have found Manhattan Christian for Friday's practice. We did a lot of calling around and every gym in Bozeman and Belgrade was unavailable. We kept calling until we found availability."
Despite the minor tweaks in coordination over the first few days, Houk was familiar with the product on the court. "We aren't doing anything brand new. We have a ton of returnees, and they did a great job setting the tone. And the newcomers did well, which was good."
Houk welcomes back nine letterwinners, including five starters and libero Lauren Lindseth, that led the Bobcats to its best season in school history last fall. MSU posted a 24-9 overall record, went 12-4 in Big Sky Conference play, and won three postseason matches before falling to Wichita State in the Fab Four of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.
Two redshirts, along with four freshmen complete the 2024 roster.
"We didn't do a lot of coaching for the first day," Houk said. "We let them shake some of the rust off. We're coming off a great spring season, and the players did a fantastic job over the summer, so there isn't a lot of stress to get to where we need to go. We just need to be the best version of ourselves."
MSU hosts Big 10 newcomer Washington on Aug. 30 in its season-opener.
"After today, we have 17 days to get a lot of things accomplished," Houk stated. "It is a little different this year because we don't have to go from zero to 60 mph, because of the large chunk we have returning.
"Over the next few days, a third will be in skill development and then the rest will be putting them into some competitive situations, mixing and matching different lineups," he added.
The biggest change Houk witnessed on opening day came at the conclusion of Thursday's practice as seniors Jourdain Kamps and Audrey Hofer addressed the team.
"I was really happy to see Jourdain and Audrey talk to the team and praise them for the way they came out and battled in the first practice," Houk said. "We have a very mature team that is tough and gritty, and that's what we stand for. They talked about what we want to look like and who we are. This team believes in themselves and does an excellent job of holding themselves to the standards we have set."
Players Mentioned
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