Cats Fall to The Citadel in Four

Friday, September 6

Lincoln, Neb.

9 a.m. (MT)

Montana State University

1-3,0-0Big Sky

The Citadel

3-2,0-0SoCon

Montana St.

The Citadel

Joelie Spelts (22) records one of her career high seven kills against The Citadel on Friday morning.

Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services

9/6/2024 1:37:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Bobcat sophomore Joelie Spelts saw action on the outside and notched a career-high seven kills. Redshirt freshman Erika Gustafson also posted a career outing with six kills and five blocks.

By: Tom Schulz

The Citadel scored 42 percent of its points off Montana State errors en route to a 25-21, 21-25, 25-23, 25-18 win over the Bobcats at the University of Nebraska Husker Invite on Friday morning at the Devaney Sports Center.

Despite its miscues, Montana State (1-3) had one of its most efficient sets of the season in the second frame, outhitting The Citadel (3-2) .375 to .297. The Bobcats committed just two errors on 40 attempts to capture its only set of the match. MSU hit .129 the final two sets, while the Bulldogs cruised at .308 for the victory.

"We are dealing with some growing pains," said MSU head coach Matt Houk. "We're having to learn some things and who we are. We need to consistently play up to the potential we show in practice.

"We knew our schedule was going to be tough," he added. "The kids are saying the right things, now they must put it into action on the court."

Madilyn Siebler led MSU with 13 kills and 16 digs, while Camryn Greenwald and Jordan Radick- the Bobcats' middle blockers- combined for 15 kills, a .286 attack mark and five blocks. Nellie Stevenson dished out 43 assists, while libero Lauren Lindseth guided MSU defensively with a match-high 22 digs.

Bobcat sophomore Joelie Spelts saw action on the outside and notched a career-high seven kills. Redshirt freshman Erika Gustafson also posted a career outing with six kills and five blocks.

"We had to mix things up and it was nice to see Joelie and Erika out on the court," Houk said. "Things are not going to get an easier for us, so we need to take on the challenge and control the things we can control."

Montana State faces #2 Nebraska on Saturday at 1 p.m. (MT)

SET 1: The Citadel got out to a 10-5 advantage in the early stages and built its margin to 23-17 following a block by Mackenzie Martin and Peri Hoshock. Montana State rattled off three consecutive points to close the gap, but the Bulldogs took the opening set on a kill by Ali Ruffin and a Bobcat hitting miscue. Jourdain Kamps led MSU in the set with four kills, while Nellie Stevenson dished out 12 assists, and libero Lauren Lindseth owning the backrow with nine digs.

SET 2: With the set tied at 14-all, Montana State went on a 6-1 run sparked by pair of service aces. MSU held its advantage down the stretch to even the match at 1-1 following a Madilyn Siebler kill. The Bobcats outhit The Citadel .375 to .297 in the set as MSU had just two hitting errors on 40 attempts. Madilyn Siebler, Camryn Greenwald, and Joelie Spelts led the Bobcat offense with four kills, apiece. Jordan Radick posted two blocks and Lauren Lindseth added five digs.

SET 3: Leading 22-21 in the waning moments of the set, The Citadel played side-out ball and took a 24-22 lead following an MSU service error. The Bulldogs captured the frame on an Ali Ruffin kill. Madilyn Siebler and Erika Gustafson paced MSU with three kills each, while Nellie Stevenson registered 10 assists and Siebler six digs.

SET 4: The Citadel outhit Montana State .387 to .000 as the Bulldogs pulled away from 15-all with a 10-3 run to close out the match. Madilyn Siebler had four kills in the set, while Nellie Stevenson and Lauren Lindseth added two service aces, each.