Friday, September 7
Fort Worth, TX
9 a.m.
Montana State University
vs
Louisiana
Sophomore Kelsie White
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Bobcat Volleyball Team Heads to TCU
9/6/2018 4:42:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
It’s a mouthful, but the Montana State volleyball team will compete in the TCU-Fight in the Fort presented by Aloft Fort Worth Downtown this weekend in Fort Worth, Texas.
MONTANA STATE VOLLEYBALL NOTES (PDF)
FIGHT FOR THE FORT:
It's a mouthful, but the Montana State volleyball team will compete in the TCU-Fight in the Fort presented by Aloft Fort Worth Downtown this weekend in Fort Worth, Texas. The Bobcats will open play on Friday, Sept. 7 against Louisiana at 9 a.m. (MST). MSU will conclude the day against SMU at 2 p.m. The Cats close out the tournament against TCU on Saturday at 1 p.m.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS WEEKEND'S OPPONENTS:
Louisiana will enter the tournament 6-2 overall after dispatching Southern 3-1 on Tuesday night. The Ragin' Cajuns only loss last weekend came at the hands of Houston. On the season, the have been paced by Halo Wisnoskie who averages 3.48 kills per set. SMU is 1-4 on the year- its lone victory coming against Arkansas State. The Mustangs are guided by Brittany Adams at 3.71 kills and 2.59 digs per contest. TCU is 4-3 overall after dropping all three of its matches last weekend. The Horned Frogs are led by Elan McCall at 5.24 kills per set.
Opponent: Louisiana (19,291)
Nickname: Ragin' Cajuns
Head Coach: Heather Mazeitis-Fontenot
2018 Record: 6-2 overall; 0-0/Sun Belt
Opponent: SMU (10,981)
Nickname: Mustangs
Head Coach: Lisa Seifert
2018 Record: 1-4 overall; 0-0/American
Opponent: TCU (10,323)
Nickname: Horned Frogs
Head Coach: Jill Kramer
2018 Record: 3-0 overall; 0-0/Big 12
SIDE OUTS:
* Montana State and Louisiana have never met on the volleyball court.
* Montana State and SMU have never met on the volleyball court.
* The Cats hold a 2-0 advantage in its all-time series with TCU back to Sept. 16, 2000
* MSU defeated the Horned Frogs 3-1 on Sept. 16, 2000 in Fort Worth
* The Bobcats defeated TCU 3-0 on Sept. 7, 2001 in Bozeman during the HIC
* Junior libero Allyssa Rizzo leads the Big Sky Conference averaging 5.83 digs per set
* Thirteen of MSU's 17 rostered players have been in the program two years or less
* The last tournament title for MSU came last year at the Utah State Invitational
SUPER SAVER:
Junior libero Allyssa Rizzo paced Montana State at the North Portland Marriott Invitational over the weekend averaging 6.42 digs per set. The product of Crestwood, Ill., was over the 20 dig mark in all three matches. She posted a weekend-high 31 saves in MSU 3-2 loss to LIU Brooklyn. On the season, Rizzo is averaging 5.83 digs per set. For the weekend, she also recorded nine assists and five aces. As a primary passer, Rizzo finished the 12 sets with just one reception error. Rizzo was named to the Cleveland State All-Tournament team after averaging 5.18 digs and .55 aces per set. In her third season as MSU's starting libero, Rizzo has notched 978 career digs- just 22 saves away from becoming the ninth member Montana State's 1,000-Dig Club.
PINTEREST:
As a unit Montana State's outside hitters manned the pins last weekend producing 91 kills, while hitting .157 from the floor. In addition, the fivesome tallied 61 digs. Evi Wilson led the way, averaging 2.67 kills per set with a .149 attack mark. The Bellevue, Wash., native recorded a career-high 20 kills in MSU's 3-2 loss to LIU Brooklyn. Sophomore Hannah Scott averaged 2.17 kills per set while taking a team-high 101 swings. The Hawthorne, Calif., product also led the outside hitting contingent with 25 digs. Senior Natalie Passeck finished the three matches at the University of Portland Invite averaging 1.67 kills per set, while hitting .258 from the floor. Freshmen Serena Caspersen and Hailey Merkes also added 21 total kills.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING:
As a team, the Bobcats rank in the top five in four Big Sky Conference statistical categories. MSU is ranked fourth in digs per set (16.91) and total attacks per set (37.39), while ranking fifth in aces per set (1.30) and total attacks (860).Montana State is also ranked among the top 100 in NCAA Division I in total attacks per set (37th), digs per set (38th) and team digs (94th). Individually, Allyssa Rizzo ranks amongst the best liberos in the nation. Her 5.83 digs per set not only leads the Big Sky, but ranks 13th nationally. Rizzo is also ranked 29th in the nation in total digs, 48th in service aces and 69th in aces per set. Sophomore middle blocker Kelsie White is listed 69th in the nation with 29 total blocks, and is 84th overall averaging 1.26 blocks per contest.
HARD BLOCK CAFE:
Last season in MSU's win over Pacific, freshman Kelsie White notched 15 blocks, including 14 block assists. The 14 blocks assist was a Bobcat school-record, breaking the mark of 13 held by Karen Weyler (1994) and Mindy Nowak (1998). The 15 blocks were the second highest total in the nation last fall, and White's 1.08 blocks per game were the 13th best average produced by a freshmen in the country. The Layton, Utah native is currently ranked 84th in the nation in blocks per set, while her 29 total blocks is 69th overall.
THE RIGHT STUFF:
The Bobcats ended the 2017 season ranked No. 213 in the final RPI, which was a 46-spot leap up the rankings from 259 at the end of the 2016 season. In all, the Bobcats defeated five teams ranked higher than themselves in the final RPI, including No. 71 North Dakota, No. 99 Pacific, No. 151 Gonzaga, No. 164 Utah State and No. 182 UC Santa Barbara.
IT'S ALL-ACADEMIC:
Six Bobcat players that received All-Big Sky Conference Academic accolades in 2017 return to the MSU rotation. They include Lexi Goroski, Libby Christensen, Sydney Mathison, Hannah Scott, Allyssa Rizzo and Kelsie White.
1,000-KILL CLUB:
Senior Natalie Passeck is closing in on becoming just the 16th member of Montana State's 1000-Kill Club. The last member of the club, Kim Stonehouse, made the list in 2006. Here's a look at MSU's all-time career kills list.
1. Diane Terrall, 78-81.......... 1,451
2. Brandy Anderson, 95-98... 1,380
3. Maggie Koughan, 82-85.... 1,328
4. Stephanie Laya, 97-00 ..... 1,260
5. Meggie Malyurek, 02-05.. 1,136
6. Moyra Ditchfield, 80-83.... 1,135
7. Kim Stonehouse, 03-06.... 1,129
8. Megan Zanto, 02-05......... 1,128
9. Kim Steffel, 89-92............ 1,108
10. Michelle Usitalo, 81-84..... 1,060
11. Cori Carper, 96-99............ 1,058
12. Mindy Nowak, 96-99 ...... 1,044
13. Stephanie Nowicki, 86-89. 1,033
14. Karen Weyler, 94-97........ 1,026
15. Aimee Halyk, 99-02.......... 1,014
--- Natalie Passeck, 15---...... 825
1,000-DIG CLUB:
Junior Allyssa Rizzo is closing in on becoming just the ninth member of Montana State's 1000-Dig Club. The last member of the club, Kasey Schlatter, made the list in 2014. Here's a look at MSU's all-time career digs list.
1. Kandice Kelly, 03-06......... 1,720
2. Meghan Albiston, 07-10... 1,577
3. Nicole Baker, 10-13.......... 1,564
4. Kamber Kelly, 01-04......... 1,262
5. Meggie Malyurek, 02-05.. 1,223
6. Stephanie Laya, 97-00...... 1,183
7. Mindy Nowak, 1,073........ 1,073
8. Kasey Schlatter, 11-14...... 1,059
--- Allyssa Rizzo, 16-- 978
FIGHT FOR THE FORT:
It's a mouthful, but the Montana State volleyball team will compete in the TCU-Fight in the Fort presented by Aloft Fort Worth Downtown this weekend in Fort Worth, Texas. The Bobcats will open play on Friday, Sept. 7 against Louisiana at 9 a.m. (MST). MSU will conclude the day against SMU at 2 p.m. The Cats close out the tournament against TCU on Saturday at 1 p.m.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS WEEKEND'S OPPONENTS:
Louisiana will enter the tournament 6-2 overall after dispatching Southern 3-1 on Tuesday night. The Ragin' Cajuns only loss last weekend came at the hands of Houston. On the season, the have been paced by Halo Wisnoskie who averages 3.48 kills per set. SMU is 1-4 on the year- its lone victory coming against Arkansas State. The Mustangs are guided by Brittany Adams at 3.71 kills and 2.59 digs per contest. TCU is 4-3 overall after dropping all three of its matches last weekend. The Horned Frogs are led by Elan McCall at 5.24 kills per set.
Opponent: Louisiana (19,291)
Nickname: Ragin' Cajuns
Head Coach: Heather Mazeitis-Fontenot
2018 Record: 6-2 overall; 0-0/Sun Belt
Opponent: SMU (10,981)
Nickname: Mustangs
Head Coach: Lisa Seifert
2018 Record: 1-4 overall; 0-0/American
Opponent: TCU (10,323)
Nickname: Horned Frogs
Head Coach: Jill Kramer
2018 Record: 3-0 overall; 0-0/Big 12
SIDE OUTS:
* Montana State and Louisiana have never met on the volleyball court.
* Montana State and SMU have never met on the volleyball court.
* The Cats hold a 2-0 advantage in its all-time series with TCU back to Sept. 16, 2000
* MSU defeated the Horned Frogs 3-1 on Sept. 16, 2000 in Fort Worth
* The Bobcats defeated TCU 3-0 on Sept. 7, 2001 in Bozeman during the HIC
* Junior libero Allyssa Rizzo leads the Big Sky Conference averaging 5.83 digs per set
* Thirteen of MSU's 17 rostered players have been in the program two years or less
* The last tournament title for MSU came last year at the Utah State Invitational
SUPER SAVER:
Junior libero Allyssa Rizzo paced Montana State at the North Portland Marriott Invitational over the weekend averaging 6.42 digs per set. The product of Crestwood, Ill., was over the 20 dig mark in all three matches. She posted a weekend-high 31 saves in MSU 3-2 loss to LIU Brooklyn. On the season, Rizzo is averaging 5.83 digs per set. For the weekend, she also recorded nine assists and five aces. As a primary passer, Rizzo finished the 12 sets with just one reception error. Rizzo was named to the Cleveland State All-Tournament team after averaging 5.18 digs and .55 aces per set. In her third season as MSU's starting libero, Rizzo has notched 978 career digs- just 22 saves away from becoming the ninth member Montana State's 1,000-Dig Club.
PINTEREST:
As a unit Montana State's outside hitters manned the pins last weekend producing 91 kills, while hitting .157 from the floor. In addition, the fivesome tallied 61 digs. Evi Wilson led the way, averaging 2.67 kills per set with a .149 attack mark. The Bellevue, Wash., native recorded a career-high 20 kills in MSU's 3-2 loss to LIU Brooklyn. Sophomore Hannah Scott averaged 2.17 kills per set while taking a team-high 101 swings. The Hawthorne, Calif., product also led the outside hitting contingent with 25 digs. Senior Natalie Passeck finished the three matches at the University of Portland Invite averaging 1.67 kills per set, while hitting .258 from the floor. Freshmen Serena Caspersen and Hailey Merkes also added 21 total kills.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING:
As a team, the Bobcats rank in the top five in four Big Sky Conference statistical categories. MSU is ranked fourth in digs per set (16.91) and total attacks per set (37.39), while ranking fifth in aces per set (1.30) and total attacks (860).Montana State is also ranked among the top 100 in NCAA Division I in total attacks per set (37th), digs per set (38th) and team digs (94th). Individually, Allyssa Rizzo ranks amongst the best liberos in the nation. Her 5.83 digs per set not only leads the Big Sky, but ranks 13th nationally. Rizzo is also ranked 29th in the nation in total digs, 48th in service aces and 69th in aces per set. Sophomore middle blocker Kelsie White is listed 69th in the nation with 29 total blocks, and is 84th overall averaging 1.26 blocks per contest.
HARD BLOCK CAFE:
Last season in MSU's win over Pacific, freshman Kelsie White notched 15 blocks, including 14 block assists. The 14 blocks assist was a Bobcat school-record, breaking the mark of 13 held by Karen Weyler (1994) and Mindy Nowak (1998). The 15 blocks were the second highest total in the nation last fall, and White's 1.08 blocks per game were the 13th best average produced by a freshmen in the country. The Layton, Utah native is currently ranked 84th in the nation in blocks per set, while her 29 total blocks is 69th overall.
THE RIGHT STUFF:
The Bobcats ended the 2017 season ranked No. 213 in the final RPI, which was a 46-spot leap up the rankings from 259 at the end of the 2016 season. In all, the Bobcats defeated five teams ranked higher than themselves in the final RPI, including No. 71 North Dakota, No. 99 Pacific, No. 151 Gonzaga, No. 164 Utah State and No. 182 UC Santa Barbara.
IT'S ALL-ACADEMIC:
Six Bobcat players that received All-Big Sky Conference Academic accolades in 2017 return to the MSU rotation. They include Lexi Goroski, Libby Christensen, Sydney Mathison, Hannah Scott, Allyssa Rizzo and Kelsie White.
1,000-KILL CLUB:
Senior Natalie Passeck is closing in on becoming just the 16th member of Montana State's 1000-Kill Club. The last member of the club, Kim Stonehouse, made the list in 2006. Here's a look at MSU's all-time career kills list.
1. Diane Terrall, 78-81.......... 1,451
2. Brandy Anderson, 95-98... 1,380
3. Maggie Koughan, 82-85.... 1,328
4. Stephanie Laya, 97-00 ..... 1,260
5. Meggie Malyurek, 02-05.. 1,136
6. Moyra Ditchfield, 80-83.... 1,135
7. Kim Stonehouse, 03-06.... 1,129
8. Megan Zanto, 02-05......... 1,128
9. Kim Steffel, 89-92............ 1,108
10. Michelle Usitalo, 81-84..... 1,060
11. Cori Carper, 96-99............ 1,058
12. Mindy Nowak, 96-99 ...... 1,044
13. Stephanie Nowicki, 86-89. 1,033
14. Karen Weyler, 94-97........ 1,026
15. Aimee Halyk, 99-02.......... 1,014
--- Natalie Passeck, 15---...... 825
1,000-DIG CLUB:
Junior Allyssa Rizzo is closing in on becoming just the ninth member of Montana State's 1000-Dig Club. The last member of the club, Kasey Schlatter, made the list in 2014. Here's a look at MSU's all-time career digs list.
1. Kandice Kelly, 03-06......... 1,720
2. Meghan Albiston, 07-10... 1,577
3. Nicole Baker, 10-13.......... 1,564
4. Kamber Kelly, 01-04......... 1,262
5. Meggie Malyurek, 02-05.. 1,223
6. Stephanie Laya, 97-00...... 1,183
7. Mindy Nowak, 1,073........ 1,073
8. Kasey Schlatter, 11-14...... 1,059
--- Allyssa Rizzo, 16-- 978
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
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