Thursday, November 16
BOZEMAN
7 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Sacramento State
Cats Host Final Regular Season Big Sky Matches
11/15/2023 5:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Heading into the final week of Big Sky play, the Bobcats still have a chance at winning the program’s first-ever league title.
NEXT UP:
Montana State closes out its regular season Big Sky Conference schedule this week when it hosts league-leading Sacramento State, Thursday, Nov. 16, and Portland State, Saturday, Nov. 18. Both matches are slated for 7 p.m., in Shroyer Gym.
STILL AN OUTSIDE SHOT:
Heading into the final week of Big Sky play, the Bobcats still have a chance at winning the program's first-ever league title. If MSU defeats both Sacramento State and Portland State, and Montana defeats the Hornets on Saturday, the Bobcats would share the title with Sac. State. If either Weber State or Northern Colorado wins out, and Sacramento State loses twice, they share the title, too.
FACTOID OF THE WEEK:
With its reverse sweep at Weber State last Saturday, the Bobcats have notched 17 victories on the season. The 17 wins are the most in a season since the 2004 Bobcats posted a 19-8 overall mark.
THE WEEK THAT WAS:
For the third consecutive time the Montana State volleyball team defeated Weber State in Swenson Gym. For the second straight time it was in a thrilling five-set fashion. MSU, who defeated the Wildcats 3-2 in the opening-round of the Big Sky tournament last November, remained a thorn in WSU's side on Saturday night with a come-from-behind 20-25, 19-25, 25-18, 25-9, 15-12 victory on the Wildcats' home hardwood. Kira Thomsen led MSU with 20 kills, while Jourdain Kamps finished with 18 kills and a .486 attack mark. The product of Ennis committed just one hitting error on 35 attempts. Madilyn Siebler and Jordan Radick each finished with eight kills. Montana State used a big block, fought off two set points in the opening frame, and played quality volleyball in all other phases of the game en route to 28-26, 25-14, 25-16 victory over Idaho State on Thursday night. For the match, MSU out-hit Idaho State .252 to .068 and held advantages in kills, digs, and blocks. Offensively, the Bobcats were led by Thomsen with 16 kills and Siebler with seven.
RPI RANKINGS:
Northern Colorado (121) is the highest ranked Big Sky school in the most recent RPI listing. The Bears are followed by Weber State (133), Sacramento State (152), Montana State (167), Portland State (178), Montana (199), Idaho State (255), Northern Arizona (256), Eastern Washington (276), and Idaho (333).
SIMPLY THE BEST:
Kira Thomsen's first kill against Northern Colorado Nov. 2 was a hard swing that deflected off the block out-of-bounds. It gave the Parker, Colo., product 1,452 career kills and the all-time MSU career kills record, moving her ahead of Diane Terrall who had held the record since 1981. Thomsen's current total stands at 1,522 career kills, which ranks 11th in Big Sky Conference history.
SCOUTING REPORT:
Sacramento State enters Thursday's match with a 19-9 overall mark and a 12-2 Big Sky slate. The Hornets need one win over MSU or Montana this week to win the league title outright. They currently have clinched a share of the conference crown. The Hornets played once last week, and fell on the road at Portland State, 3-1. That loss snapped a seven-match winning streak and was the Hornets' first defeat on the road against a Big Sky opponent. Sacramento State's defense has been stout all year, as the Hornets rank first in the Big Sky and 27th in the nation limiting the opposition to a .164 hitting percentage.
LIFE HACKS:
Montana State senior Kira Thomsen ranks first in Montana State history with 4,402 total attacks since her freshman season in 2019. Former Ranchester, Wyo., native Stephanie Laya held the old mark of 3,774 swings from 1997-2000. Thomsen's 4,402 total attacks also ranks 11th in Big Sky history. Lynda Johnson of Portland State ranks No. 1 with 5,183.
SERVING NOTICE:
Montana State is fifth in the Big Sky, averaging 1.54 aces per set. The number ranks 149th in the nation. Individually, Kira Thomsen is fifth in the league averaging .38 aces per set, which ranks 138th nationally.
PACKING THE PLACE:
Montana State finished 39th in the nation averaging 1,292 fans per game, last fall. On Sept. 30, 2022, Montana State set a Big Sky Conference and State of Montana record when 6,457 fans jammed Worthington Arena. MSU's average attendance was higher than notable programs such as UCLA, LSU, and Notre Dame. After seeing a season-high 4,187 fans in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on Friday night, the Bobcats are averaging 1,174 fans, which ranks 62nd in the nation and ahead of notable programs like LSU, Boise State, Oklahoma, Oregon State and Duke.
AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE:
Bobcat senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen ranks first in the Big Sky Conference in attacks, averaging 11.76 swings per set. That number also ranks 12th in the nation. In addition, the product of Parker, Colorado is first in the Big Sky averaging 4.09 kills per set, which is the 32nd best average in the country. Thomen's 4.60 points per set are tops in the Big Sky and rank 36th overall.
AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE x2:
As a unit, the Bobcats are third in the Big Sky averaging 35.94 swings per set, which ranks 56th in the nation.
TOUTING THOMSEN:
Senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen, a three-time all-Big Sky Conference selection, currently leads the league in kills per set (4.09) and points (4.60). Thomsen's 2.44 digs per set is second on the Bobcat squad, while her .216 attack mark ranks third. This season, Thomsen has been in double-digit kills in 21 of 24 matches, including a season-high 28 kills against St. Thomas (MN). She had a 19-match streak of double-figure kills dating back to Oct. 22, 2022, snapped after recording four against Cal on Sept. 15. Last season, Thomsen recorded a career-high 32 kills in MSU's 3-2 win over Portland State. Her 1,522 career kills rank first on MSU's all-time kills' chart. Thomsen's 4,402 total career attacks is the most all-time. Thomsen went over the 1,000-career digs mark against Nevada making her the tenth member of MSU's 1,000-Dig Club. She is just one of four players in MSU history to record 1,000 kills/digs - joining Meggie Malyurek, Stephanie Laya, and Mindy Nowak. On Nov. 18, 2022, Thomsen was named the AVCA Division I National Player of the Week (the first in MSU history) after averaging 6.0 kills and 6.4 points per set as MSU knocked off Portland State and Sacramento State.
GOTTA DIG IT:
MSU libero Lauren Lindseth ranks seventh in the Big Sky averaging 3.88 saves per game. Last week she totaled 41 (5.13) saves per set. On Aug. 31, Lindseth recorded a career-high 34 digs against St. Thomas (MN). She has recorded 20 matches in double-digit digs this fall. Last season, Lindseth was in double-digit digs in 22 matches, including a streak of 13 consecutive matches in double-figures. In addition, she went over the 20-dig plateau on nine occasions. Her 475 digs last fall ranks fifth in a single season at MSU. Lindseth earned All-Big Sky Tourney honors after averaging 3.56 digs in two matches, which included 24 digs in MSU's upset over Weber State.
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS:
Jourdain (Klein) Kamps is another Bobcat enjoying an outstanding season to date. She is averaging 2.71 kills per set, while hitting a team-best .275 from the floor. In addition, she is averaging 1.79 digs and .96 blocks per contest and has chipped in 15 aces. The product of Ennis, Mont., has been in double-figure kills in 15 of 24 matches, including matching a season-best 18 kills at Weber State on Saturday night. Last week against Weber State she recorded 18 kills, a .486 attack mark, one ace, seven digs. Kamps moved into sixth on MSU's all-time block assists chart with 324, while her 340 total career blocks rank eighth all-time. Kamps was a Second Team All-Big Sky pick in the spring of 2021 after averaging 1.49 kills and .97 blocks per set in the shortened 15-match season. Last year, Kamps recorded a career-high 23 kills at Eastern Washington.
LINDSETH LEGACY:
Sophomore libero Lauren Lindseth is part of Bobcat history as one-half of the first mother/daughter duo to play volleyball at MSU. Lindseth's mother - Kelly Modrow (MOD-row) - played at MSU from 1992-1996. The native of Minnetonka, Minn., (Hopkins HS) played in 110 matches and 359 sets. In all, Modrow's career totals include: 889 kills, 733 digs, 128 blocks and 87 service aces wearing the No. 2 jersey, as well.
HARD BLOCK CAFE`:
Montana State averaged 3.13 blocks per set in matches with Idaho State and Weber State last week. Jordan Radick led the way with 12 total blocks. On the season, Jordan Radick and Jourdain Kamps rank first and second, respectively on the team, averaging 1.19 and .96 blocks per set. As a team, the Bobcats rank fourth in the Big Sky Conference averaging 2.24 blocks per set.
LENDING A HAND:
Junior college transfer Nellie Stevenson is averaging 8.24 assists per set, which is fourth in the Big Sky. Last week, the transfer from Feather River (CA) College dished out 76 assists (9.50) in wins over Weber State and Idaho State. Stevenson also recorded eight kills, a .500 attack mark, two aces, 33 digs (4.13) and 11 blocks (1.38). As a team, the Bobcat setters rank third in the Big Sky dishing out 11.83 aps.
E-RADICK-CATION:
Junior middle blocker Jordan Radick paces the Cats at the net averaging 1.19 blocks per set.
A PARTING NOTE:
Kira Thomsen's 1,522 career kills rank 11th all-time on the Big Sky Conference kills' chart.
Montana State closes out its regular season Big Sky Conference schedule this week when it hosts league-leading Sacramento State, Thursday, Nov. 16, and Portland State, Saturday, Nov. 18. Both matches are slated for 7 p.m., in Shroyer Gym.
STILL AN OUTSIDE SHOT:
Heading into the final week of Big Sky play, the Bobcats still have a chance at winning the program's first-ever league title. If MSU defeats both Sacramento State and Portland State, and Montana defeats the Hornets on Saturday, the Bobcats would share the title with Sac. State. If either Weber State or Northern Colorado wins out, and Sacramento State loses twice, they share the title, too.
FACTOID OF THE WEEK:
With its reverse sweep at Weber State last Saturday, the Bobcats have notched 17 victories on the season. The 17 wins are the most in a season since the 2004 Bobcats posted a 19-8 overall mark.
THE WEEK THAT WAS:
For the third consecutive time the Montana State volleyball team defeated Weber State in Swenson Gym. For the second straight time it was in a thrilling five-set fashion. MSU, who defeated the Wildcats 3-2 in the opening-round of the Big Sky tournament last November, remained a thorn in WSU's side on Saturday night with a come-from-behind 20-25, 19-25, 25-18, 25-9, 15-12 victory on the Wildcats' home hardwood. Kira Thomsen led MSU with 20 kills, while Jourdain Kamps finished with 18 kills and a .486 attack mark. The product of Ennis committed just one hitting error on 35 attempts. Madilyn Siebler and Jordan Radick each finished with eight kills. Montana State used a big block, fought off two set points in the opening frame, and played quality volleyball in all other phases of the game en route to 28-26, 25-14, 25-16 victory over Idaho State on Thursday night. For the match, MSU out-hit Idaho State .252 to .068 and held advantages in kills, digs, and blocks. Offensively, the Bobcats were led by Thomsen with 16 kills and Siebler with seven.
RPI RANKINGS:
Northern Colorado (121) is the highest ranked Big Sky school in the most recent RPI listing. The Bears are followed by Weber State (133), Sacramento State (152), Montana State (167), Portland State (178), Montana (199), Idaho State (255), Northern Arizona (256), Eastern Washington (276), and Idaho (333).
SIMPLY THE BEST:
Kira Thomsen's first kill against Northern Colorado Nov. 2 was a hard swing that deflected off the block out-of-bounds. It gave the Parker, Colo., product 1,452 career kills and the all-time MSU career kills record, moving her ahead of Diane Terrall who had held the record since 1981. Thomsen's current total stands at 1,522 career kills, which ranks 11th in Big Sky Conference history.
SCOUTING REPORT:
Sacramento State enters Thursday's match with a 19-9 overall mark and a 12-2 Big Sky slate. The Hornets need one win over MSU or Montana this week to win the league title outright. They currently have clinched a share of the conference crown. The Hornets played once last week, and fell on the road at Portland State, 3-1. That loss snapped a seven-match winning streak and was the Hornets' first defeat on the road against a Big Sky opponent. Sacramento State's defense has been stout all year, as the Hornets rank first in the Big Sky and 27th in the nation limiting the opposition to a .164 hitting percentage.
LIFE HACKS:
Montana State senior Kira Thomsen ranks first in Montana State history with 4,402 total attacks since her freshman season in 2019. Former Ranchester, Wyo., native Stephanie Laya held the old mark of 3,774 swings from 1997-2000. Thomsen's 4,402 total attacks also ranks 11th in Big Sky history. Lynda Johnson of Portland State ranks No. 1 with 5,183.
SERVING NOTICE:
Montana State is fifth in the Big Sky, averaging 1.54 aces per set. The number ranks 149th in the nation. Individually, Kira Thomsen is fifth in the league averaging .38 aces per set, which ranks 138th nationally.
PACKING THE PLACE:
Montana State finished 39th in the nation averaging 1,292 fans per game, last fall. On Sept. 30, 2022, Montana State set a Big Sky Conference and State of Montana record when 6,457 fans jammed Worthington Arena. MSU's average attendance was higher than notable programs such as UCLA, LSU, and Notre Dame. After seeing a season-high 4,187 fans in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on Friday night, the Bobcats are averaging 1,174 fans, which ranks 62nd in the nation and ahead of notable programs like LSU, Boise State, Oklahoma, Oregon State and Duke.
AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE:
Bobcat senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen ranks first in the Big Sky Conference in attacks, averaging 11.76 swings per set. That number also ranks 12th in the nation. In addition, the product of Parker, Colorado is first in the Big Sky averaging 4.09 kills per set, which is the 32nd best average in the country. Thomen's 4.60 points per set are tops in the Big Sky and rank 36th overall.
AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE x2:
As a unit, the Bobcats are third in the Big Sky averaging 35.94 swings per set, which ranks 56th in the nation.
TOUTING THOMSEN:
Senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen, a three-time all-Big Sky Conference selection, currently leads the league in kills per set (4.09) and points (4.60). Thomsen's 2.44 digs per set is second on the Bobcat squad, while her .216 attack mark ranks third. This season, Thomsen has been in double-digit kills in 21 of 24 matches, including a season-high 28 kills against St. Thomas (MN). She had a 19-match streak of double-figure kills dating back to Oct. 22, 2022, snapped after recording four against Cal on Sept. 15. Last season, Thomsen recorded a career-high 32 kills in MSU's 3-2 win over Portland State. Her 1,522 career kills rank first on MSU's all-time kills' chart. Thomsen's 4,402 total career attacks is the most all-time. Thomsen went over the 1,000-career digs mark against Nevada making her the tenth member of MSU's 1,000-Dig Club. She is just one of four players in MSU history to record 1,000 kills/digs - joining Meggie Malyurek, Stephanie Laya, and Mindy Nowak. On Nov. 18, 2022, Thomsen was named the AVCA Division I National Player of the Week (the first in MSU history) after averaging 6.0 kills and 6.4 points per set as MSU knocked off Portland State and Sacramento State.
GOTTA DIG IT:
MSU libero Lauren Lindseth ranks seventh in the Big Sky averaging 3.88 saves per game. Last week she totaled 41 (5.13) saves per set. On Aug. 31, Lindseth recorded a career-high 34 digs against St. Thomas (MN). She has recorded 20 matches in double-digit digs this fall. Last season, Lindseth was in double-digit digs in 22 matches, including a streak of 13 consecutive matches in double-figures. In addition, she went over the 20-dig plateau on nine occasions. Her 475 digs last fall ranks fifth in a single season at MSU. Lindseth earned All-Big Sky Tourney honors after averaging 3.56 digs in two matches, which included 24 digs in MSU's upset over Weber State.
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS:
Jourdain (Klein) Kamps is another Bobcat enjoying an outstanding season to date. She is averaging 2.71 kills per set, while hitting a team-best .275 from the floor. In addition, she is averaging 1.79 digs and .96 blocks per contest and has chipped in 15 aces. The product of Ennis, Mont., has been in double-figure kills in 15 of 24 matches, including matching a season-best 18 kills at Weber State on Saturday night. Last week against Weber State she recorded 18 kills, a .486 attack mark, one ace, seven digs. Kamps moved into sixth on MSU's all-time block assists chart with 324, while her 340 total career blocks rank eighth all-time. Kamps was a Second Team All-Big Sky pick in the spring of 2021 after averaging 1.49 kills and .97 blocks per set in the shortened 15-match season. Last year, Kamps recorded a career-high 23 kills at Eastern Washington.
LINDSETH LEGACY:
Sophomore libero Lauren Lindseth is part of Bobcat history as one-half of the first mother/daughter duo to play volleyball at MSU. Lindseth's mother - Kelly Modrow (MOD-row) - played at MSU from 1992-1996. The native of Minnetonka, Minn., (Hopkins HS) played in 110 matches and 359 sets. In all, Modrow's career totals include: 889 kills, 733 digs, 128 blocks and 87 service aces wearing the No. 2 jersey, as well.
HARD BLOCK CAFE`:
Montana State averaged 3.13 blocks per set in matches with Idaho State and Weber State last week. Jordan Radick led the way with 12 total blocks. On the season, Jordan Radick and Jourdain Kamps rank first and second, respectively on the team, averaging 1.19 and .96 blocks per set. As a team, the Bobcats rank fourth in the Big Sky Conference averaging 2.24 blocks per set.
LENDING A HAND:
Junior college transfer Nellie Stevenson is averaging 8.24 assists per set, which is fourth in the Big Sky. Last week, the transfer from Feather River (CA) College dished out 76 assists (9.50) in wins over Weber State and Idaho State. Stevenson also recorded eight kills, a .500 attack mark, two aces, 33 digs (4.13) and 11 blocks (1.38). As a team, the Bobcat setters rank third in the Big Sky dishing out 11.83 aps.
E-RADICK-CATION:
Junior middle blocker Jordan Radick paces the Cats at the net averaging 1.19 blocks per set.
A PARTING NOTE:
Kira Thomsen's 1,522 career kills rank 11th all-time on the Big Sky Conference kills' chart.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's VolleyballMatt 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
