Thursday, October 1
Bozeman, MT
7:00 pm MT
Montana State University
vs
Idaho
Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
Bobcats Back in Bozeman, Host Idaho and Eastern Washington
9/30/2026 10:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BOZEMAN, Mont. - Bobcat Volleyball returns to Shroyer Gym for the first time since early September, continuing conference play as Montana State hosts a pair of Big Sky Conference foes in Idaho and Eastern Washington.
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The Bobcats (8-5, 1-1) host the Vandals (9-5, 0-2) at 7 p.m. MT on Thursday night for the 60th contest between the schools, as MSU looks to continue a 12-game winning streak. Saturday will bring the Eagles (7-7, 1-1) to Bozeman at 2 p.m. MT, marking the 94th matchup between the Cats and Eagles, with MSU winning three of the last five.
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Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+, and live stats will be available via StatBroadcast.
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SPELTS STANDING OUTÂ 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 an outstanding performance against Montana opening play, Spelts leads MSU with 137 kills and averages 2.49 per set while hitting .363.
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TEE IT UPÂ 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. She has totaled 95 kills, 15 assists, 12 aces, 127 digs, and 30 blocks so far this season.
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NOBLE EFFORTSÂ 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.
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TAKING THE MAIN LINE BACK TO BOZEMANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â
In the 2026 Big Sky opener, the Bobcats downed the Montana Grizzlies in a four-set win. A trio of double-digit hitters paced the offense for the Bobcats, as Karli Heidemann led the team with 13 kills and added 11 digs. Senior Joelie Spelts was just behind with 12, hitting .409 on the night, in addition to eight blocks. As a team, the Bobcats led in nearly every category with 49 kills, 78 digs and 14 blocks to the Grizzlies' 44 kills, 73 digs and five blocks.Â
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1K CLUBÂ 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 435 assists, averaging 8.37 per set this season.
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TRIPLE THREATÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Three Bobcats have surpassed triple digits on offense this season. Joelie Spelts leads the team with 137 kills, while Karli Heidemann sits at 123 and Elli Tufto is just behind with 116. Lauren Greeny is five away from the 100-kill mark.Â
FIVE SET FIGHTINGÂ
Since the season opener against Delaware, six of Montana State's 13 games this season have finished after five sets, with five resulting in wins for the Bobcats. The Cats are 6-1 when winning the first set, and 3-1 when winning the first two.
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PRESEASON PROGRESSÂ 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 action began.
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UNDER THE BIG SKYÂ 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 137 kills, while holding the fifth-best hitting percentage at .363. Teagan Jaynes ranks second with 435 assists, and third with an 8.51 per set average. Jaynes is also in third, with 20 service aces this year. Nicolette Noble ranks second with her 214 total digs and sixth with a 3.89 per set average. As a team, the Bobcats have the third-best hitting percentage (.227) with the third most kills (663).
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BESTED THE BISON
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.
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STARTED WITH A SWEEPÂ 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.
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KEEP AN EYE OUTÂ Â Â Â
Sophomore setter Teagan Jaynes and senior blocker Joelie Spelts were named to the All-Big Sky Conference Preseason Volleyball team. 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.
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.
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The Bobcats (8-5, 1-1) host the Vandals (9-5, 0-2) at 7 p.m. MT on Thursday night for the 60th contest between the schools, as MSU looks to continue a 12-game winning streak. Saturday will bring the Eagles (7-7, 1-1) to Bozeman at 2 p.m. MT, marking the 94th matchup between the Cats and Eagles, with MSU winning three of the last five.
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Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+, and live stats will be available via StatBroadcast.
Â
SPELTS STANDING OUTÂ 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 an outstanding performance against Montana opening play, Spelts leads MSU with 137 kills and averages 2.49 per set while hitting .363.
Â
TEE IT UPÂ 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. She has totaled 95 kills, 15 assists, 12 aces, 127 digs, and 30 blocks so far this season.
Â
NOBLE EFFORTSÂ 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
TAKING THE MAIN LINE BACK TO BOZEMANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â
In the 2026 Big Sky opener, the Bobcats downed the Montana Grizzlies in a four-set win. A trio of double-digit hitters paced the offense for the Bobcats, as Karli Heidemann led the team with 13 kills and added 11 digs. Senior Joelie Spelts was just behind with 12, hitting .409 on the night, in addition to eight blocks. As a team, the Bobcats led in nearly every category with 49 kills, 78 digs and 14 blocks to the Grizzlies' 44 kills, 73 digs and five blocks.Â
Â
1K CLUBÂ 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 435 assists, averaging 8.37 per set this season.
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TRIPLE THREATÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Three Bobcats have surpassed triple digits on offense this season. Joelie Spelts leads the team with 137 kills, while Karli Heidemann sits at 123 and Elli Tufto is just behind with 116. Lauren Greeny is five away from the 100-kill mark.Â
FIVE SET FIGHTINGÂ
Since the season opener against Delaware, six of Montana State's 13 games this season have finished after five sets, with five resulting in wins for the Bobcats. The Cats are 6-1 when winning the first set, and 3-1 when winning the first two.
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PRESEASON PROGRESSÂ 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 action began.
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UNDER THE BIG SKYÂ 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 137 kills, while holding the fifth-best hitting percentage at .363. Teagan Jaynes ranks second with 435 assists, and third with an 8.51 per set average. Jaynes is also in third, with 20 service aces this year. Nicolette Noble ranks second with her 214 total digs and sixth with a 3.89 per set average. As a team, the Bobcats have the third-best hitting percentage (.227) with the third most kills (663).
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BESTED THE BISON
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
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
Sophomore setter Teagan Jaynes and senior blocker Joelie Spelts were named to the All-Big Sky Conference Preseason Volleyball team. 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.
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.
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Players Mentioned
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L/DS
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MB
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