Tuesday, September 22
Missoula, MT
7:00 pm MT
Montana State University
at
Montana
Volleyball Kicks Off Conference Play with Cat-Griz Game
9/21/2026 12:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BOZEMAN, Mont. – Montana State volleyball opens Big Sky Conference play on the big stage on Tuesday as the Bobcats (7-4) head up the road to Missoula for the first of two annual Cat-Griz games with Montana (4-6). First serve is set for 7 p.m. MT.
Â
The in-state foes have met 128 times since the rivalry's origin in 1975, with the Bobcats winning five of the last six games. MSU brought the Main Line Trophy back to Bozeman after a September win, while UM claimed the most recent victory in Bozeman last November.
Â
The match will be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available.
Â
FIVE SET FIGHTINGÂ
Since the season opener against Delaware, six of Montana State's 11 games this season have finished after five sets, with five resulting in wins for the Bobcats. The Cats are 5-1 when winning the first set, and 3-1 when winning the first two. Most recently, the Cats collected a 3-2 win over Georgia State.Â
Â
PRESEASON PROGRESSÂ Â Â Â Â Â
After concluding the non-conference season with a pair of wins at the Mercer Invitational, the Bobcats finished preseason play with a 7-4 record. Seven wins equal the most wins under Matt Houk since his inaugural season in 2023, when the Cats went 7-3 before Big Sky began.Â
Â
SPELTS STANDING OUTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Senior Joelie Spelts has had a tremendous impact for the Bobcats through the first two weeks of the season. After earning a spot on the all-tournament team at Lafayette and St. Thomas, she repeated the honors at the Bobcat Invitational after totaling 22 kills and a .304 hitting percentage. After another weekend high on the stat sheet in Georgia, Spelts leads MSU with 121 kills and averages 2.52 per set while hitting .379.
Â
1K CLUBÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Sophomore Teagan Jaynes reached the 1,000 career assists mark with her third set at St. Thomas. After handling starting setter duties for the Bobcats last year, Jaynes has recorded 373 assists in 11 games so far this season.
Â
TEE IT UPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Outside hitter and former MSU golfer, Lauren Greeny is high on the stat sheet in several categories after making her return to collegiate volleyball this season. After just three weeks, she has totaled 91 kills, 15 aces, 105 digs, and 27 blocks this season. She was named to the all-tournament team at the Bobcat Invitational after leading the Cats in kills.
Â
NOBLE EFFORTSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
After a standout season-opening performance in Easton, sophomore libero Nicolette Noble was named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career. Starting all three matches in the first week of the season, Noble made a career-high 24 digs against Marist, contributing to her tournament total of 63, and recorded 16 assists, 56 receptions, and a .982 reception percentage. Noble then bested her career mark at the Mercer Invitational, logging 28 digs in the preseason finale with Georgia State, en route to her second Big Sky weekly recognition.
Â
UNDER THE BIG SKYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Several Bobcats have found their way into the top of the Big Sky standings so far. Joelie Spelts leads the league with 121 kills, while holding the third-best hitting percentage at .379. Teagan Jaynes also ranks third with 373 assists, averaging 8.29 per set. Jaynes is also in a tie for third, having recorded 17 service aces this year. Nicolette Noble ranks second with her 812 total digs and fifth with a 3.79 per set average. As a team, the Bobcats have the fourth-best hitting percentage (.231) with the fourth most kills (585).
Â
BESTED THE BISONÂ
In the first game of the Bobcat Invitational, Montana State downed North Dakota State 3-2 in a five-set fight. MSU and NDSU posted even stat lines throughout the match, with momentum alternating between the sets. MSU fell behind early in the decider as NDSU crept ahead to a 6-1 lead, but the Cats showed no quit and battled back to a tie at ten before a 5-0 run to secure the victory.
Â
STARTED WITH A SWEEPÂ Â Â Â Â
Montana State opened the season with a weekend sweep at the Maroon and White Classic. With three wins in two days, the Bobcats are off to their best start since Houk's inaugural season in 2023. The MSU trio of Elli Esko, Nicolette Noble and Joelie Spelts earned all-tournament honors in Easton. Esko made her collegiate debut, powering the offense with 33 kills and a .329 pct. Noble, also named tournament MVP, was a key component in the defense and passing game, while Spelts racked up 29 kills and 11 blocks.
Â
KEEP AN EYE OUTÂ Â Â Â Â
Sophomore setter Teagan Jaynes and senior blocker Joelie Spelts were named to the All-Big Sky Conference Preseason Volleyball team, which was announced on Wednesday afternoon. The pair of Bobcats join nine athletes who are expected to play a significant role in Big Sky action this season. MSU was tabbed to finish sixth in the league's preseason coaches poll, also released Wednesday. The Bobcats were 8-8 in conference play last season as the program enters its fourth year under head coach Matt Houk.
Â
Follow the Bobcats
For the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Montana State women's volleyball team, follow the Bobcats @MSUBobcatsVB on X, Instagram, and Facebook. Information on the Montana State athletic program can be found online at msubobcats.com or by following @MSUBobcats on X, @MontanaStateBobcats on Instagram, and @Montana State Bobcats on Facebook.
Â
Â
The in-state foes have met 128 times since the rivalry's origin in 1975, with the Bobcats winning five of the last six games. MSU brought the Main Line Trophy back to Bozeman after a September win, while UM claimed the most recent victory in Bozeman last November.
Â
The match will be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available.
Â
FIVE SET FIGHTINGÂ
Since the season opener against Delaware, six of Montana State's 11 games this season have finished after five sets, with five resulting in wins for the Bobcats. The Cats are 5-1 when winning the first set, and 3-1 when winning the first two. Most recently, the Cats collected a 3-2 win over Georgia State.Â
Â
PRESEASON PROGRESSÂ Â Â Â Â Â
After concluding the non-conference season with a pair of wins at the Mercer Invitational, the Bobcats finished preseason play with a 7-4 record. Seven wins equal the most wins under Matt Houk since his inaugural season in 2023, when the Cats went 7-3 before Big Sky began.Â
Â
SPELTS STANDING OUTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Senior Joelie Spelts has had a tremendous impact for the Bobcats through the first two weeks of the season. After earning a spot on the all-tournament team at Lafayette and St. Thomas, she repeated the honors at the Bobcat Invitational after totaling 22 kills and a .304 hitting percentage. After another weekend high on the stat sheet in Georgia, Spelts leads MSU with 121 kills and averages 2.52 per set while hitting .379.
Â
1K CLUBÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Sophomore Teagan Jaynes reached the 1,000 career assists mark with her third set at St. Thomas. After handling starting setter duties for the Bobcats last year, Jaynes has recorded 373 assists in 11 games so far this season.
Â
TEE IT UPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Outside hitter and former MSU golfer, Lauren Greeny is high on the stat sheet in several categories after making her return to collegiate volleyball this season. After just three weeks, she has totaled 91 kills, 15 aces, 105 digs, and 27 blocks this season. She was named to the all-tournament team at the Bobcat Invitational after leading the Cats in kills.
Â
NOBLE EFFORTSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
After a standout season-opening performance in Easton, sophomore libero Nicolette Noble was named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career. Starting all three matches in the first week of the season, Noble made a career-high 24 digs against Marist, contributing to her tournament total of 63, and recorded 16 assists, 56 receptions, and a .982 reception percentage. Noble then bested her career mark at the Mercer Invitational, logging 28 digs in the preseason finale with Georgia State, en route to her second Big Sky weekly recognition.
Â
UNDER THE BIG SKYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Several Bobcats have found their way into the top of the Big Sky standings so far. Joelie Spelts leads the league with 121 kills, while holding the third-best hitting percentage at .379. Teagan Jaynes also ranks third with 373 assists, averaging 8.29 per set. Jaynes is also in a tie for third, having recorded 17 service aces this year. Nicolette Noble ranks second with her 812 total digs and fifth with a 3.79 per set average. As a team, the Bobcats have the fourth-best hitting percentage (.231) with the fourth most kills (585).
Â
BESTED THE BISONÂ
In the first game of the Bobcat Invitational, Montana State downed North Dakota State 3-2 in a five-set fight. MSU and NDSU posted even stat lines throughout the match, with momentum alternating between the sets. MSU fell behind early in the decider as NDSU crept ahead to a 6-1 lead, but the Cats showed no quit and battled back to a tie at ten before a 5-0 run to secure the victory.
Â
STARTED WITH A SWEEPÂ Â Â Â Â
Montana State opened the season with a weekend sweep at the Maroon and White Classic. With three wins in two days, the Bobcats are off to their best start since Houk's inaugural season in 2023. The MSU trio of Elli Esko, Nicolette Noble and Joelie Spelts earned all-tournament honors in Easton. Esko made her collegiate debut, powering the offense with 33 kills and a .329 pct. Noble, also named tournament MVP, was a key component in the defense and passing game, while Spelts racked up 29 kills and 11 blocks.
Â
KEEP AN EYE OUTÂ Â Â Â Â
Sophomore setter Teagan Jaynes and senior blocker Joelie Spelts were named to the All-Big Sky Conference Preseason Volleyball team, which was announced on Wednesday afternoon. The pair of Bobcats join nine athletes who are expected to play a significant role in Big Sky action this season. MSU was tabbed to finish sixth in the league's preseason coaches poll, also released Wednesday. The Bobcats were 8-8 in conference play last season as the program enters its fourth year under head coach Matt Houk.
Â
Follow the Bobcats
For the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Montana State women's volleyball team, follow the Bobcats @MSUBobcatsVB on X, Instagram, and Facebook. Information on the Montana State athletic program can be found online at msubobcats.com or by following @MSUBobcats on X, @MontanaStateBobcats on Instagram, and @Montana State Bobcats on Facebook.
Â
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballWednesday, January 18
Monday, November 15
Saturday, September 04
Friday, September 03
