Bobcat Spikers Sweep Griz

Saturday, November 15

Missoula, MT

7 pm

Montana State University

7-21, 4-12BSC

University of Montana

6-22, 6-10BSC

Montana State

Montana

Junior Eli Svisco had 14 kills and a .290 attack mark against Montana.

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

11/15/2014 9:36:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

“That’s the best team effort we’ve had in three years,” MSU Head Coach Kyle Weindel said. “We had some key digs by Dana Vestman and Kasey Altman in the third set. We weren’t passing that well, which puts the pressure on our outside hitters, and Kennadie (Clute) and Eli (Svisco) came through like we knew they could.”

By: Tom Schulz

In perhaps its most complete match of the season, the Montana State volleyball team wreaked havoc on Montana's Senior Night sweeping the Grizzlies 25-23, 26-24, 25-21 in the West Auxiliary Gym, Saturday night in front of 909 fans in Missoula.

"That's the best team effort we've had in three years," MSU Head Coach Kyle Weindel said. "We had some key digs by Dana Vestman and Kasey Altman in the third set. We weren't passing that well, which puts the pressure on our outside hitters, and Kennadie (Clute) and Eli (Svisco) came through like we knew they could."

Clute finished with a match-high 15 kills, while hitting .278 from the field. Svisco chipped in 14 kills with a .290 attack mark.

Montana State (7-21, 4-12) jumped out to a 15-7 advantage in the opening set, but Montana (6-22, 6-10) closed to within 18-17. The Bobcats never gave up the lead down the stretch as Svisco closed out the game with a kill.

In the second stanza, MSU held a 20-17 margin, but UM recorded three straight points to even the score. The two rivals traded points as the set was tied at 21, 22, 23 and 24. Freshman Jolie Meade gave the Bobcats a one point lead with a kill in the middle and a Montana net violation gave Montana State 2-0 cushion heading into intermission.

Leading 17-14 in the final set, Montana turned the table with a 7-1 run to take a 21-18 lead. Weindel called a timeout, and the Bobcats responded by reeling off seven straight points for the sweep.

"That was an incredible run," Weindel said. "Teams have done that to us this season, and to finally do it to someone else is awesome."

Also contributing to the Bobcat attack was setter Katie Harrington with 39 assists. Defensively, MSU was led by Kasey Schlatter and Clute with 14 and 11 digs, respectively. Meade finished with a team-best five blocks, while Harrington added three.

Montana State out-hit Montana .315 to .168, while also holding advantages in kills, digs and blocks.

"Defensively, I think we made huge strides in the past three weeks," Weindel said. "Anytime you can pick up the ball defensively with digs and blocks it gives you a chance to be very good."

Montana was paced in the loss by Janell Sparks with 11 kills.

The two storied rivals spilt the annual Brawl of the Wild series this season.