Montana State Bobcats

Fans of Montana State volleyball remember Oct. 26, 2006 very well. It was the last time a Bobcat volleyball team won a Big Sky Conference match. 

The Bobcats snapped their 44-match Big Sky losing streak defeating Montana 28-30, 25-20, 21-25, 25-18, 16-14, Friday night in front of 1,512 spectators in Dahlberg Arena.

And, now, Oct. 23, 2009 will hold a special place in their memory as well.

“We’re really excited,” said MSU second-year head coach Sara Schaub. “They had a ton of fans and it was a great atmosphere. Our kids really stepped up to the occasion. They have worked so hard and it is especially nice to get this victory against the Grizzlies.”

Montana State (3-15, 1-8) controlled the final two sets of the match, both offensively and defensively. The Bobcats hit .185 from the floor, while holding Montana (9-11, 5-4) to -.030 from the field. UM entered the night on a four-match Big Sky Conference winning streak.

“The key was maintaining our focus in the middle of rallies,” Schaub said. “That gave us three, four and five opportunities to get the point.”

Montana State was paced in the victory by senior Kyla Hendry, who notched a match-high 16 kills, while hitting .353 from the floor. In addition, she led the Bobcats at the net with a team-high six blocks.

Also in double-figure kills were Nicole Grypiuk 13, Jodeen Rademacher 10, and Kylie Edinger 10. Senior setter Taylor Faught dished out 52 assists.

Defensively, junior libero Meghan Albiston racked up a match-high 29 digs, while Faught added 11, Taylar Barney 10 and Allyson Porter 10.

“We definitely passed a whole lot better than our first meeting,” Schaub said. “I thought we were aggressive with our serve and were able to slow them down.”

For the match, MSU held advantages in kills, assists, and digs.

UM was led in the loss by Jaimie Thibeault with 16 kills and six blocks.

MSU will host Seattle University on Monday night in Shroyer Gym.