Thursday, November 18
Ogden, Utah
4 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Northern Arizona
Photo by: Courtesy Portland State Athletics
Cats Ready for Big Sky Tourney
11/16/2021 12:40:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Bobcat volleyball team will make its fourth consecutive appearance at the Big Sky Conference Tournament, beginning Thursday, Nov. 18 when it faces Northern Arizona at 4 p.m. in Swenson Gym, Ogden, Utah.
WHO: No. 4 Montana State vs. No. 5 Northern Arizona
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Ogden, Utah - Swenson Gym (1,200)
RECORDS: Montana St. 14-13, 10-6; No. Arizona 12-13, 10-6
SERIES: Northern Arizona leads all-time series 42-25
LAST MTG: Oct. 21, 2021 - Montana St. 3, @ No. Arizona 2
LIVE STREAM: Montana State's matches at the Big Sky Tournament will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription necessary).
LIVE STATS: BigSkyStats.com
TOURNEY TIME: The Bobcat volleyball team will make its fourth consecutive appearance at the Big Sky Conference Tournament, beginning Thursday, Nov. 18 when it faces Northern Arizona at 4 p.m. in Swenson Gym, Ogden, Utah. MSU enters the tournament as the No. 4 seed, while the Lumberjacks hold the No. 5 spot. The 4/5 winner will face either No. 1 Weber State or No. 8 Montana on Friday night at 7 p.m. The championship match is slated for Saturday at 6 p.m. The four other teams making the tournament include No. 2 Northern Colorado, No. 3 Portland State, No. 6 Sacramento State and No. 7 Eastern Washington.
TOURNEY TALK: Montana State and Northern Arizona met just once this season, with the Bobcats owning a 25-18, 23-25, 25-18, 13-25, 15-11 decision over the Lumberjacks in Flagstaff on Oct. 21...Kira Thomsen led MSU to the win with 17 kills and 16 digs, while Hannah Scott and Jourdain Klein added 14 kills, apiece...Ryann Davis and Morgan Gappmayer each had 13 kills in the losing effort for Northern Arizona...last spring, Montana State entered the Big Sky tournament as the No. 3 seed and was upset in five sets by No. 6 Southern Utah...in 2019 the Bobcats advance to the tournament's semifinal round defeating Sacramento State 3-1, before dropping a hard-fought 3-1 decision to eventual champion Northern Colorado...Daniel Jones' first trip to the league dance came in 2018, where Northern Arizona defeated Montana State 25-21, 25-13, 25-16 in opening-round action...Weber State and Northern Colorado were co-champions of the regular Big Sky season with 13-3 records...they split their season series, but the Wildcats earn the top seed based on sets won in their two meetings.
BOBCAT BITES: MSU is ranked #160 in this week's RPI...the highest ranked team the Bobcats have defeated this fall is #117 North Texas (3-2), followed by #118 Boise State (3-1)...MSU is 3-6 in five-set matches, including losses to #19 Washington, #46 Arkansas, #85 Weber State, #112 Utah State and #183 Long Beach State...other Big Sky rankings in the RPI include #66 Northern Colorado, #102 Portland State, #172 Sacramento State, #185 Northern Arizona, #224 Montana, #247 Eastern Washington, #267 Idaho State, #296 Southern Utah, and #309 Idaho.
SIDE OUTS:
* MSU is 3-6 in five setters with two losses to Power 5 schools - Arkansas & #7 Washington
* Hannah Scott now has 1,256 career kills, which ranks fifth all-time at Montana State
* Jordan Radick paced MSU last week averaging 1.63 kills and 1.00 blocks with a .357 attack %
* MSU ranks #1 in the Big Sky and #33 in the country in total team blocks (250)
* The Cats rank #2 in the Big Sky & #71 in the nation averaging 2.36 blocks per set
* Montana State ranks #3 in the Big Sky and #121 in the country in hitting percentage (.219)
* The Bobcats rank #1 in the Big Sky and #62 in the nation with 1,230 team assists
* Emma Pence's 141 total blocks rank #1 in the Big Sky and #2 in the country this week
* Pence is also ranked #1 in the Big Sky and #12 in the nation, averaging 1.37 bps
* Freshman Jordan Radick is #5 in the Big Sky and #136 in the nation with 97 total blocks
THE SCOUTING REPORT: Northern Arizona is 12-13 overall and finished 10-6 in Big Sky play after splitting a pair of road matches to close out the regular season. Last Thursday, the Lumberjacks dropped a 3-0 decision at Weber State before rebounding with a 3-2 victory at Idaho State. In its win at ISU, the Lumberjacks rallied from a 2-0 deficit behind the play of Taylor Jacobson, who posted 25 kills and 18 digs, while hitting .266 from the floor. The 6-1 junior outside hitter from Chandler, Ariz., has been NAU's top gun all season, averaging a team-best 3.60 kills per set, which ranks second in Big Sky Conference action. Her 4.30 points per set is tops in the league. Morgan Gappmeyer and Ryann Davis also play an integral role in the Lumberjack attack, chipping in 2.21 and 1.91 kills per set, respectively. Jordan Elder is NAU's top threat out of the middle, averaging 1.38 kills and .94 blocks with a .292 attack mark. Millie O'Ketter guides the backrow averaging 3.96 digs per contest, while Aubrea Bandfield dishes out 6.54 assists per set. Northern Arizona is under the direction of Ken Murphy, who is in his ninth season in Flagstaff. Murphy is 174-86 with the Lumberjacks.
ROAD WARRIORS: The Bobcats love life on the road. Montana State owns the best away record in the Big Sky Conference at 8-3. In fact, MSU has been better on the road, then at home. In Big Sky Conference matches, the Bobcats were 6-2 (.750) away from the warm confines of Shroyer Gym and were 4-4 (.500) on the home hardwood.
HARD BLOCK CAFE: The Bobcats' 250 total blocks leads the Big Sky Conference and ranks #33 in the nation. Montana State is also ranked second in the Big Sky averaging 2.36 blocks per set, which ranks #71 in the nation. Individually, Emma Pence leads the Big Sky averaging 1.37 blocks per contest. That number ranks #12 in the country. Pence's 141 total blocks also ranks first in the Big Sky and ranks an impressive #2 in the nation. MSU had a season-best 18 team blocks in its match with Arkansas on Sept. 2 in Bozeman.
GREAT SCOTT: Senior Hannah Scott went over the 1,000-kill mark with her fourth kill against Portland on Sept. 3. The Hawthorne, Calif, product became the 16th member of MSU's prestigious 1000-kill club. Her 1,256 career kills rank fifth on Montana State's all-time kills' chart. On the season, she is averaging 2.97 kills per set. Last weekend, Scott averaged 2.50 kills and 2.25 digs per set. Against Weber State on Sept. 30, Scott had a season-best 22 kills. She had a season-best 15 digs against Montana on Oct. 26. Scott's best performance came against #7 Washington on Sept. 16 with 17 kills, while hitting .400 (17-3-35) from the floor. In addition, Scott added nine digs, five blocks and an ace as the Bobcats almost pulled the upset over the Huskies. Scott was named to the Boise State All-Tournament team to open this season. She has been in double-figure kills in 17-of-27 matches. Scott is currently first on the squad with 353.5 points. During the spring season, Scott had a breakout campaign which culminated in being named to the All-Big Sky First-Team as she averaged 2.89 kills, while hitting .232 from the floor.
Career Kills Watch:
Kills:
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. Hannah Scott, 17-21 1,256
CLIMBING THE LADDER: As the MSU program continues to improve, its numbers within the Big Sky statistical categories have shown remarkable improvement, as well. In the 15 team statistical categories, the Cats rank among the top three of the league in seven categories, including #1 in total blocks (250) and team assists (1,230), #2 in blocks per set (2.36) and team kills (1,325), and #3 in hitting percentage (.219) and total attacks (3,580).
A LENDING HAND: Former Bozeman High product Allie Lynch is averaging 5.26 assists per game running MSU's 6-2 offense. Lynch dished out a season-high 33 assists against Montana on Oct. 26. Last week, Lynch averaged 4.50 aps. On the season, she is also averaging 1.88 digs per set, including a season-best 15 saves at Portland State, last Thursday. Freshman Audrey Hofer has started eight times and has played in 25 of MSU's 27 matches. The Helena Capital grad dished out a season-high 28 assists at North Texas and recorded a career-high 14 digs at Portland State, last Thursday. Last week, Hofer dished out 21 assists and added 14 digs against PSU and Sacramento State. On the season, she is averaging 5.03 assists per set. Hofer also chips in 1.56 digs per set. Hofer's registered three double-double and is fourth on the team with 16 aces. Delaney Shearan is averaging 4.50 assists and 1.92 digs per set on the season. Shearan dished out a season-high 26 against Long Beach State in the first match of the season. Against Sacramento State on Saturday afternoon, she registered five assists and five digs.
MAY I ASSIST YOU?: Senior setter Allie Lynch is steadily creeping up the all-time Montana State assists chart. The Bozeman native went over the 1,000-assist plateau against Portland State on Oct. 24, 2019. Former Bobcat standout Brooke Olsen-Roush (1996-99) holds the all-time Bobcats record set back in the old 15-point sideout scoring era. Here's a look at MSU's all-time Top 10, and where Lynch stands:
1. Brooke Olsen, 1996-99 4,712
2. Kamber Kelly, 2001-04 3,751
3. Jennifer Lundquist, 2009-12 2,500
4. Lorraine Morrison, 1999-01 2,293
5. Allie Lynch, 2017-21 2,205
TOOL TIME: In two matches last week, Kira Thomsen totaled 20 kills and 21 digs, while adding five block assists. On the season, she has been in double-figure kills on 18 occasions and has produced ten double-doubles. She matched a season-best 18 kills in MSU's 3-1 win over Sacramento State on Oct. 14. Thomsen currently ranks first on the team in digs with 263 (2.50 dps) and service aces (29). She is second on the squad with 307 kills (2.92 kps). On Sept. 30 against Weber State, Thomsen notched a season-high 24 digs. Her 353 points is second on the team, just behind Hannah Scott 's 353.5 points. Thomsen earned tournament MVP honors at the Boise State Invitational to open the season after posting a .337 attack mark and averaging 3.42 kills, 2.83 digs and .58 aces per set. At the Bobcat Classic, the Parker, Colo., product averaged 3.00 kills and 1.64 digs per set with a .260 attack mark. And, at the North Texas Challenge, she averaged 2.55 kills and 1.18 digs per game. Last spring, Thomsen earned First-Team All-Big Sky honors.
THE GREAT WALL OF BOZEMAN: Sophomore Emma Pence currently ranks first in the Big Sky in blocks per set (1.37 bps), which ranks 12th in the nation. Pence's 141 total blocks also tops the league and ranks second in the country. The Carson City, Nevada product has been in double-figure kills five times, matching a season-best 11 against Weber State on Sept. 30. Pence has matched a season-high nine blocks on three occasions this season, coming against Montana, Idaho State and Boise State. Last week, she averaged 1.63 kills and 1.00 blocks per set against Portland State and Sacramento State. Pence, who was one of two players in the league that garnered #BigSkyVB Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week accolades during the spring, earned #BigSkyVB Defensive Player of the Week for the week of Oct. 4. Last spring, she garnered first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors for her efforts.
Single-Season Block Watch:
Block Assists:
1. Ana Schanze, 2002 169
2. Megan Zanto, 2003 144
3. Karen Weyler, 1994 138
4. Karin Lundqvist, 2000 137
Julia Handwerk, 2000 137
--- Emma Pence, 2021 131
Total Blocks:
1. Ana Schanze, 2002 191
2. Karen Weyler, 1994 175
3. Kim Steffel, 1992 171
4. Megan Zanto, 2003 161
Karin Lundqvist, 2000 161
--- Emma Pence, 2021 141
Career Block Watch:
Block Assists:
1. Megan Zanto, 02-05 511
2. Karen Weyler, 94-97 460
3. Cori Carper, 96-99 425
4. Angela Wiebe, 03-06 394
5. Emma Pence, 2019-- 321
Total Blocks:
1. Megan Zanto, 02-05 592
2. Karen Weyler, 94-97 570
3. Cori Carper, 96-99 490
4. Angela Wiebe, 03-06 416
5. Emma Pence, 2019-- 357
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS: Jourdain Klein, a 6-1 outside hitter from Ennis, Mont., averaged 1.38 kills and .50 blocks against Portland State and Sacramento State, last weekend. Against the Vikings, Klein recorded 10 kills, a .267 attack mark and three blocks. Klein had a career-high 16 kills, while hitting .556 (16-1-27) from the field on Nov. 6 against Eastern Washington. A month ago, she was named #BigSkyVB Offensive Player of the Week after averaging 3.13 kills, 1.50 blocks and 1.13 aces, while hitting .358 from the field last week against Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. At the North Texas Challenge in mid-September, Klein had a very efficient tournament hitting, recording a .444 (17-1-36) attack for the three matches. She tallied a season-high eight blocks against Arkansas. Last spring, she was named All-Big Sky Second-Team.
OPPOSITE DAY: Rightside hitters Avery Turnage, Kaycee O'Dell and Emma West have all played this season. West, a senior from Tempe, Ariz., started both matches last week and combined for two kills and six digs in six sets. Turnage, a product of Idaho Falls, Idaho has played in 76 sets and is averaging 1.37 kills and .63 blocks per outing. She had a career-high 11 kills against Fresno State and a career-best seven blocks as MSU defeated Boise State in August. O'Dell, a sophomore from Glendale, Arizona, has played in 26 sets and is averaging 1.12 kps. She had 11 kills against North Texas in September.
JORDAN IN THE MIDDLE: Freshman Jordan Radick posted 13 kills (1633 kps) and eight blocks (1.00), while hitting .357 against Portland State and Sacramento State. Radick, a graduate of Bozeman High, had her best outing against Sacramento State posting nine kills, a .438 attack mark and four blocks. Radick recorded a season-high 11 kills against Portland State and a season-high 12 blocks versus Arkansas. She has tallied seven matches hitting .400 or better and has 14 matches with four blocks or more. Radick's best offensive performance of the season came at Southern Utah, where the 6-2 middle blocker, registered eight kills, a .700 (8-1-10) attack mark and four blocks in a three- set match.
TO BE OR NOT TO BE: Freshman Courtney Weatherby has started the last four matches as MSU's libero. During that time, she has averaged 3.13 digs per set. Weatherby started both matches last week against Portland State and Sacramento State and averaged 2.38 saves per contest. She notched a season-best 16 digs against EWU on Nov. 6, wearing the different colored jersey.
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Ogden, Utah - Swenson Gym (1,200)
RECORDS: Montana St. 14-13, 10-6; No. Arizona 12-13, 10-6
SERIES: Northern Arizona leads all-time series 42-25
LAST MTG: Oct. 21, 2021 - Montana St. 3, @ No. Arizona 2
LIVE STREAM: Montana State's matches at the Big Sky Tournament will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription necessary).
LIVE STATS: BigSkyStats.com
TOURNEY TIME: The Bobcat volleyball team will make its fourth consecutive appearance at the Big Sky Conference Tournament, beginning Thursday, Nov. 18 when it faces Northern Arizona at 4 p.m. in Swenson Gym, Ogden, Utah. MSU enters the tournament as the No. 4 seed, while the Lumberjacks hold the No. 5 spot. The 4/5 winner will face either No. 1 Weber State or No. 8 Montana on Friday night at 7 p.m. The championship match is slated for Saturday at 6 p.m. The four other teams making the tournament include No. 2 Northern Colorado, No. 3 Portland State, No. 6 Sacramento State and No. 7 Eastern Washington.
TOURNEY TALK: Montana State and Northern Arizona met just once this season, with the Bobcats owning a 25-18, 23-25, 25-18, 13-25, 15-11 decision over the Lumberjacks in Flagstaff on Oct. 21...Kira Thomsen led MSU to the win with 17 kills and 16 digs, while Hannah Scott and Jourdain Klein added 14 kills, apiece...Ryann Davis and Morgan Gappmayer each had 13 kills in the losing effort for Northern Arizona...last spring, Montana State entered the Big Sky tournament as the No. 3 seed and was upset in five sets by No. 6 Southern Utah...in 2019 the Bobcats advance to the tournament's semifinal round defeating Sacramento State 3-1, before dropping a hard-fought 3-1 decision to eventual champion Northern Colorado...Daniel Jones' first trip to the league dance came in 2018, where Northern Arizona defeated Montana State 25-21, 25-13, 25-16 in opening-round action...Weber State and Northern Colorado were co-champions of the regular Big Sky season with 13-3 records...they split their season series, but the Wildcats earn the top seed based on sets won in their two meetings.
BOBCAT BITES: MSU is ranked #160 in this week's RPI...the highest ranked team the Bobcats have defeated this fall is #117 North Texas (3-2), followed by #118 Boise State (3-1)...MSU is 3-6 in five-set matches, including losses to #19 Washington, #46 Arkansas, #85 Weber State, #112 Utah State and #183 Long Beach State...other Big Sky rankings in the RPI include #66 Northern Colorado, #102 Portland State, #172 Sacramento State, #185 Northern Arizona, #224 Montana, #247 Eastern Washington, #267 Idaho State, #296 Southern Utah, and #309 Idaho.
SIDE OUTS:
* MSU is 3-6 in five setters with two losses to Power 5 schools - Arkansas & #7 Washington
* Hannah Scott now has 1,256 career kills, which ranks fifth all-time at Montana State
* Jordan Radick paced MSU last week averaging 1.63 kills and 1.00 blocks with a .357 attack %
* MSU ranks #1 in the Big Sky and #33 in the country in total team blocks (250)
* The Cats rank #2 in the Big Sky & #71 in the nation averaging 2.36 blocks per set
* Montana State ranks #3 in the Big Sky and #121 in the country in hitting percentage (.219)
* The Bobcats rank #1 in the Big Sky and #62 in the nation with 1,230 team assists
* Emma Pence's 141 total blocks rank #1 in the Big Sky and #2 in the country this week
* Pence is also ranked #1 in the Big Sky and #12 in the nation, averaging 1.37 bps
* Freshman Jordan Radick is #5 in the Big Sky and #136 in the nation with 97 total blocks
THE SCOUTING REPORT: Northern Arizona is 12-13 overall and finished 10-6 in Big Sky play after splitting a pair of road matches to close out the regular season. Last Thursday, the Lumberjacks dropped a 3-0 decision at Weber State before rebounding with a 3-2 victory at Idaho State. In its win at ISU, the Lumberjacks rallied from a 2-0 deficit behind the play of Taylor Jacobson, who posted 25 kills and 18 digs, while hitting .266 from the floor. The 6-1 junior outside hitter from Chandler, Ariz., has been NAU's top gun all season, averaging a team-best 3.60 kills per set, which ranks second in Big Sky Conference action. Her 4.30 points per set is tops in the league. Morgan Gappmeyer and Ryann Davis also play an integral role in the Lumberjack attack, chipping in 2.21 and 1.91 kills per set, respectively. Jordan Elder is NAU's top threat out of the middle, averaging 1.38 kills and .94 blocks with a .292 attack mark. Millie O'Ketter guides the backrow averaging 3.96 digs per contest, while Aubrea Bandfield dishes out 6.54 assists per set. Northern Arizona is under the direction of Ken Murphy, who is in his ninth season in Flagstaff. Murphy is 174-86 with the Lumberjacks.
ROAD WARRIORS: The Bobcats love life on the road. Montana State owns the best away record in the Big Sky Conference at 8-3. In fact, MSU has been better on the road, then at home. In Big Sky Conference matches, the Bobcats were 6-2 (.750) away from the warm confines of Shroyer Gym and were 4-4 (.500) on the home hardwood.
HARD BLOCK CAFE: The Bobcats' 250 total blocks leads the Big Sky Conference and ranks #33 in the nation. Montana State is also ranked second in the Big Sky averaging 2.36 blocks per set, which ranks #71 in the nation. Individually, Emma Pence leads the Big Sky averaging 1.37 blocks per contest. That number ranks #12 in the country. Pence's 141 total blocks also ranks first in the Big Sky and ranks an impressive #2 in the nation. MSU had a season-best 18 team blocks in its match with Arkansas on Sept. 2 in Bozeman.
GREAT SCOTT: Senior Hannah Scott went over the 1,000-kill mark with her fourth kill against Portland on Sept. 3. The Hawthorne, Calif, product became the 16th member of MSU's prestigious 1000-kill club. Her 1,256 career kills rank fifth on Montana State's all-time kills' chart. On the season, she is averaging 2.97 kills per set. Last weekend, Scott averaged 2.50 kills and 2.25 digs per set. Against Weber State on Sept. 30, Scott had a season-best 22 kills. She had a season-best 15 digs against Montana on Oct. 26. Scott's best performance came against #7 Washington on Sept. 16 with 17 kills, while hitting .400 (17-3-35) from the floor. In addition, Scott added nine digs, five blocks and an ace as the Bobcats almost pulled the upset over the Huskies. Scott was named to the Boise State All-Tournament team to open this season. She has been in double-figure kills in 17-of-27 matches. Scott is currently first on the squad with 353.5 points. During the spring season, Scott had a breakout campaign which culminated in being named to the All-Big Sky First-Team as she averaged 2.89 kills, while hitting .232 from the floor.
Career Kills Watch:
Kills:
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. Hannah Scott, 17-21 1,256
CLIMBING THE LADDER: As the MSU program continues to improve, its numbers within the Big Sky statistical categories have shown remarkable improvement, as well. In the 15 team statistical categories, the Cats rank among the top three of the league in seven categories, including #1 in total blocks (250) and team assists (1,230), #2 in blocks per set (2.36) and team kills (1,325), and #3 in hitting percentage (.219) and total attacks (3,580).
A LENDING HAND: Former Bozeman High product Allie Lynch is averaging 5.26 assists per game running MSU's 6-2 offense. Lynch dished out a season-high 33 assists against Montana on Oct. 26. Last week, Lynch averaged 4.50 aps. On the season, she is also averaging 1.88 digs per set, including a season-best 15 saves at Portland State, last Thursday. Freshman Audrey Hofer has started eight times and has played in 25 of MSU's 27 matches. The Helena Capital grad dished out a season-high 28 assists at North Texas and recorded a career-high 14 digs at Portland State, last Thursday. Last week, Hofer dished out 21 assists and added 14 digs against PSU and Sacramento State. On the season, she is averaging 5.03 assists per set. Hofer also chips in 1.56 digs per set. Hofer's registered three double-double and is fourth on the team with 16 aces. Delaney Shearan is averaging 4.50 assists and 1.92 digs per set on the season. Shearan dished out a season-high 26 against Long Beach State in the first match of the season. Against Sacramento State on Saturday afternoon, she registered five assists and five digs.
MAY I ASSIST YOU?: Senior setter Allie Lynch is steadily creeping up the all-time Montana State assists chart. The Bozeman native went over the 1,000-assist plateau against Portland State on Oct. 24, 2019. Former Bobcat standout Brooke Olsen-Roush (1996-99) holds the all-time Bobcats record set back in the old 15-point sideout scoring era. Here's a look at MSU's all-time Top 10, and where Lynch stands:
1. Brooke Olsen, 1996-99 4,712
2. Kamber Kelly, 2001-04 3,751
3. Jennifer Lundquist, 2009-12 2,500
4. Lorraine Morrison, 1999-01 2,293
5. Allie Lynch, 2017-21 2,205
TOOL TIME: In two matches last week, Kira Thomsen totaled 20 kills and 21 digs, while adding five block assists. On the season, she has been in double-figure kills on 18 occasions and has produced ten double-doubles. She matched a season-best 18 kills in MSU's 3-1 win over Sacramento State on Oct. 14. Thomsen currently ranks first on the team in digs with 263 (2.50 dps) and service aces (29). She is second on the squad with 307 kills (2.92 kps). On Sept. 30 against Weber State, Thomsen notched a season-high 24 digs. Her 353 points is second on the team, just behind Hannah Scott 's 353.5 points. Thomsen earned tournament MVP honors at the Boise State Invitational to open the season after posting a .337 attack mark and averaging 3.42 kills, 2.83 digs and .58 aces per set. At the Bobcat Classic, the Parker, Colo., product averaged 3.00 kills and 1.64 digs per set with a .260 attack mark. And, at the North Texas Challenge, she averaged 2.55 kills and 1.18 digs per game. Last spring, Thomsen earned First-Team All-Big Sky honors.
THE GREAT WALL OF BOZEMAN: Sophomore Emma Pence currently ranks first in the Big Sky in blocks per set (1.37 bps), which ranks 12th in the nation. Pence's 141 total blocks also tops the league and ranks second in the country. The Carson City, Nevada product has been in double-figure kills five times, matching a season-best 11 against Weber State on Sept. 30. Pence has matched a season-high nine blocks on three occasions this season, coming against Montana, Idaho State and Boise State. Last week, she averaged 1.63 kills and 1.00 blocks per set against Portland State and Sacramento State. Pence, who was one of two players in the league that garnered #BigSkyVB Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week accolades during the spring, earned #BigSkyVB Defensive Player of the Week for the week of Oct. 4. Last spring, she garnered first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors for her efforts.
Single-Season Block Watch:
Block Assists:
1. Ana Schanze, 2002 169
2. Megan Zanto, 2003 144
3. Karen Weyler, 1994 138
4. Karin Lundqvist, 2000 137
Julia Handwerk, 2000 137
--- Emma Pence, 2021 131
Total Blocks:
1. Ana Schanze, 2002 191
2. Karen Weyler, 1994 175
3. Kim Steffel, 1992 171
4. Megan Zanto, 2003 161
Karin Lundqvist, 2000 161
--- Emma Pence, 2021 141
Career Block Watch:
Block Assists:
1. Megan Zanto, 02-05 511
2. Karen Weyler, 94-97 460
3. Cori Carper, 96-99 425
4. Angela Wiebe, 03-06 394
5. Emma Pence, 2019-- 321
Total Blocks:
1. Megan Zanto, 02-05 592
2. Karen Weyler, 94-97 570
3. Cori Carper, 96-99 490
4. Angela Wiebe, 03-06 416
5. Emma Pence, 2019-- 357
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS: Jourdain Klein, a 6-1 outside hitter from Ennis, Mont., averaged 1.38 kills and .50 blocks against Portland State and Sacramento State, last weekend. Against the Vikings, Klein recorded 10 kills, a .267 attack mark and three blocks. Klein had a career-high 16 kills, while hitting .556 (16-1-27) from the field on Nov. 6 against Eastern Washington. A month ago, she was named #BigSkyVB Offensive Player of the Week after averaging 3.13 kills, 1.50 blocks and 1.13 aces, while hitting .358 from the field last week against Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. At the North Texas Challenge in mid-September, Klein had a very efficient tournament hitting, recording a .444 (17-1-36) attack for the three matches. She tallied a season-high eight blocks against Arkansas. Last spring, she was named All-Big Sky Second-Team.
OPPOSITE DAY: Rightside hitters Avery Turnage, Kaycee O'Dell and Emma West have all played this season. West, a senior from Tempe, Ariz., started both matches last week and combined for two kills and six digs in six sets. Turnage, a product of Idaho Falls, Idaho has played in 76 sets and is averaging 1.37 kills and .63 blocks per outing. She had a career-high 11 kills against Fresno State and a career-best seven blocks as MSU defeated Boise State in August. O'Dell, a sophomore from Glendale, Arizona, has played in 26 sets and is averaging 1.12 kps. She had 11 kills against North Texas in September.
JORDAN IN THE MIDDLE: Freshman Jordan Radick posted 13 kills (1633 kps) and eight blocks (1.00), while hitting .357 against Portland State and Sacramento State. Radick, a graduate of Bozeman High, had her best outing against Sacramento State posting nine kills, a .438 attack mark and four blocks. Radick recorded a season-high 11 kills against Portland State and a season-high 12 blocks versus Arkansas. She has tallied seven matches hitting .400 or better and has 14 matches with four blocks or more. Radick's best offensive performance of the season came at Southern Utah, where the 6-2 middle blocker, registered eight kills, a .700 (8-1-10) attack mark and four blocks in a three- set match.
TO BE OR NOT TO BE: Freshman Courtney Weatherby has started the last four matches as MSU's libero. During that time, she has averaged 3.13 digs per set. Weatherby started both matches last week against Portland State and Sacramento State and averaged 2.38 saves per contest. She notched a season-best 16 digs against EWU on Nov. 6, wearing the different colored jersey.
Players Mentioned
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MB
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MB
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MB/OH
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Matt Houk Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, January 18
Daniel Jones Weekly Press Conference
Monday, November 15
Bobcat Classic: Arkansas vs. Portland
Saturday, September 04
Bobcat Classic: Arkansas vs. Utah State
Friday, September 03
