Cats Cage Bears

Saturday, October 4

BOZEMAN

1 p.m.

Montana State University

8-7,3-1Big Sky

Northern Colorado

5-11,2-2Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Montana St.

Bobcat freshman Elli Tufto celebrates a point in MSU's 3-1 win over Northern Colorado on Saturday afternoon.

Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services

10/4/2025 5:26:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

The last time a Montana State volleyball team defeated Northern Colorado on its home hardwood, The Office first premiered on NBC.

By: Tom Schulz

The last time a Montana State volleyball team defeated Northern Colorado on its home hardwood, The Office first premiered on NBC. On Saturday afternoon the Bobcats handed the Bears a 25-14, 22-25, 25-19, 25-23 setback in Shroyer Gym to remain atop the Big Sky Conference standings after two weeks of league action.

Montana State's (8-7, 3-1) last win over Northern Colorado (5-11, 2-2) in Shroyer Gym came on Sept. 10, 2005, when UNC was not part of the Big Sky. The Bobcats snapped a 17-match drought within the warm confines of its own arena against the Bears.

"We knew that Northern Colorado was going to be solid," said MSU head coach Matt Houk. "They're always good. I really like how we came out. I really liked how we recovered in set two, even though we didn't get the win. I thought the way that we finished the set was really good volleyball."

Montana State jumped on Northern Colorado early taking a 13-6 advantage in the opening set on a Karli Heidemann kill. The Bobcats cruised to the 11-point victory outhitting UNC .448 to .036.

Northen Colorado turned the table in the second stanza getting out to comfortable 20-11 lead. The Bobcats responded, pulling within 24-22 in the waning moments, but the Bears closed out the set on a Zoe Gibbs kill.

A 9-0 run midway through the third set behind the serving of Joelie Spelts, coupled with an up-tick in blocking gave MSU a 2-1 advantage in the match. "It was nice to see Joelie go back there (end line) and give us a spark," Houk said. "I thought in set three we defended, blocked and transitioned really well."

The final set featured eight ties and four lead changes. The Bobcats broke away from 16-all with four straight points highlighted by an Elli Tufto kill. Leading 24-19, Northern Colorado fought off four match points, pulling within 24-23, before a Spelts kill ended the contest.

"To put two wins back-to-back at home, I think is important against two very good teams," Houk said. "UNC is always good. They always find ways to be in contention, and NAU (Northern Arizona) has been having a great season. This week was a really good performance by our crew.

"Hopefully our team learned a little bit about being in control of themselves for longer periods of time, following game plans a little bit closer and understanding that they can execute a game plan," he added.

Heidemann paced MSU with a match-high 13 kills, while Camryn Greenwald and Madilyn Siebler added 11 and 10, respectively. Setter Teagan Jaynes dished out 40 assists, while adding five kills, eight digs, an ace, and a block.

Defensively, Lauren Lindseth guided the Bobcats with 20 digs, while Nicolette Noble and Afton Thomsen added 15 and ten. Greenwald had a match-high seven blocks.

Montana State plays at Montana on Saturday, Oct. 11 in Dahlberg Arena.