Bobcats Protect Homecourt Sweep Idaho State

Saturday, October 25

BOZEMAN

1 p.m.

Montana State University

11-9,6-3Big Sky

Idaho State

7-13,3-5Big Sky

Idaho St.

Montana St.

Joelie Spelts with one of her match-high 11 kills against Idaho State on Saturday afternoon in Shroyer Gym.

Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services

10/25/2025 4:01:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

With the victory, MSU won its fourth consecutive Big Sky Conference match in Shroyer Gym and moved into second in the league standings.

By: Tom Schulz

Third-year head coach Matt Houk's message to his team in the post-match huddle was brief, following a 25-18, 25-22, 25-21 win over Idaho State on Saturday afternoon in Shroyer Gym.

"We just reminded them that when we watch this match back, we would see that we were good over time," he said. "We weathered the lulls, made small adjustments and got back to the good."

The good came early as Montana State (11-9, 6-3) rattled off a 10-4 run after leading 15-14 at the media timeout. Freshman Nicolette Noble clinched the set with a service ace.

The Bobcats held the momentum in set two, procuring an early 8-0 advantage. Idaho State (7-13, 3-5) fought back taking a 15-14 lead after going on a 15-6 run. The set saw four ties down the stretch before the Bobcats closed out the contest with three consecutive points, the last two coming from blocks by Joelie Spelts and Elli Tufto.

The final set saw six ties and five lead changes. Trailing 20-19, the Bobcats went on a 5-0 run as MSU received timely kills from Madilyn Siebler, Karli Heidemann and Spelts. An Afton Thomsen ace gave Montana State match point at 24-20. ISU fought off one set point before Heidemann put an exclamation on the weekend with her tenth kill.

With the victory, MSU won its fourth consecutive Big Sky Conference match in Shroyer Gym and moved into second in the league standings.

"It feels like in my short time in the Big Sky, this is the most parody the conference has seen," Houk said. "It truly feels that on any given night, anybody could take somebody. It's important to protect the homecourt. It's really hard to win on the road, so, you got to take advantage of these opportunities at home."

Spelts led three Bobcats in double figure with a match-high 11kills, while Heidemann and Siebler added ten, apiece. Spelts, a junior middle blocker from Gillette, Wyo., had a monster weekend for the Bobcats, averaging 3.29 kills per set with a .438 attack mark. She also chipped in 1.86 blocks per contest.

"Joelie was good again," Houk said. "I think she's starting to come into her own a little bit and it's nice seeing her producing in the matches. She's handful behind the setter and she's developing on the gap set, as well."

Freshman setter Teagan Jaynes dished out 41 assists, averaging an impressive 13.7 assists per set. "Teagan's distribution was fantastic," Houk said. "We had five attackers, the lowest with 19 swings, which is huge."

Defensively, libero Lauren Lindseth posted a team-best 17 digs, while Noble added nine. The Bobcats recorded eight service aces, led by Thomsen with three.

"Big props to our littles," Houk said. "The three of them (Lindseth, Noble, Thomsen) played really well."

The Bobcats face Northern Colorado, Thursday, Oct. 30 in Greeley.