Bobcat Volleyball opens up conference play

The Bobcat Volleyball Team opened up conference play this past weekend with home matches against the Portland State Vikings and Sacramento State Hornets. They also traveled to Missoula on Tuesday, Sept. 25 to take on cross-state rival, the University of Montana Grizzlies. The Cats split the matches over the opening weekend, winning their opener in a five-set thriller against the Vikings and falling to the Hornets in four sets. On their road trip to Missoula, the Cats came up short in a tightly contested five-set match.

The Cats home opener brought out a rowdy crowd, including the Spirit of the West Pep Band, to Shroyer Gym as they welcomed the Vikings. A strong first set from the Cats put them up early. The Vikings fought back hard in the second set to tie the score at one set each. MSU looked to respond in the third set but the Vikings came back in a late rally, taking it 25-23.

With their backs against the wall, the Bobcats came out swinging, or should I say spiking. An outstanding rally forced a decisive fifth set, as the Cats clawed back to win the fourth 26-24. With a mere 15 points standing in the way of the Cats first victory over the Vikings since 2004, the team took the court. Hit after hit, the Cats inched closer to victory and a kill by junior outside hitter Evi Wilson sealed the win for the Cats, 15-12 in the final set.

The Cats totaled three players with double-digit kills led by Wilson’s impressive 19. Junior libero Alyssa Rizzo found her way to the top of the leaderboard again with a monstrous 34 digs to lead the Bobcat defense.

Looking to continue a winning streak in conference play, the Cats looked to take down the Hornets on Saturday, Sept. 22. Another fast start led the Cats to a 25-18 victory. The Hornets found their footing in the second and breezed to a 25-19 victory sending the match to intermission with the score knotted at one set apiece. With the third set on the horizon, the Bobcats sought to swing the momentum back to their side. The Hornets had other plans, taking the third set 25-16. Again, faced with an elimination set, the Cats were tasked with an uphill battle. The Cats gave it their all but the Hornets came away in the end with a 25-21 victory in the fourth set to win the match three sets to one.

Sophomore outside hitter Hannah Scott hit her stride on offense with 12 kills to pace the Cats. Rizzo continued to perform, pushing her way to 32 digs on the night.

Next, the Cats trekked to Missoula for a rivalry match against the University of Montana Grizzlies. Each team captured a set victory before the intermission. The Bobcats found their rhythm in the third set, taking a two set to one lead. With MSU only one set away from victory, the Griz responded with a highly contested 27-25 win in the fourth set. With one set needed for victory for either side, the Griz came out on top by means of a 15-11 triumph in the final set.

The Cats travel to Greeley, Colorado next to take on the University of Northern Colorado in more Big Sky Conference play.

NOTE: Rizzo was awarded her second straight Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week.