Bobcat volleyball topples Montana falls to Bears

Montana State volleyball opened up Big Sky Conference play last week with a convincing win over Montana on Tuesday, Sept. 21, followed by a loss to Northern Colorado on Saturday, Sept. 25. The Cats are now 5-8 this season and 1-1 against Big Sky Conference opponents.

MSU got off to a strong start against the Griz and never looked back, winning three consecutive sets to complete the sweep against their in state rivals. The Cats were led by true-freshman middle-blocker Jordan Radick who had a brilliant outing, recording eight kills and four blocks. “I truly believe that the UM and MSU rivalry is unlike any other in the conference,” Radick said. “Starting out this season with a sweep to the Grizzlies added some confidence for our team.” Radick is a Bozeman native and was a star on the Bozeman High School volleyball team before making her way to MSU. “I've grown up in Bozeman watching the Cat vs. Griz games from the stands and it's a dream to get to play in a match like that,” she said. The Bobcats will face Montana once more this season in a late October matchup in Shroyer Gym.

Although the Cats dropped their second match of the week to Northern Colorado in three sets, they feel confident in their ability to beat any team in the Big Sky Conference. Radick tallied another eight kills and a block in a hard fought match against the Bears. “The level of competition is high in the Big Sky Conference, however, there isn't any team I would say we cannot beat,” Radick said. Northern Colorado is certainly a solid squad — they made it all the way to the Big Sky Conference championship last season before falling to Weber State — and the Bobcats will have another shot to beat the Bears later this season in Bozeman.

The Cats have made the cut for the Big Sky Conference Championship tournament in all of the last three seasons, and this year they are hoping to push their success even further. “I have complete belief and trust in this team, I know how good we are when we piece it all together,” Radick said.

The Bobcats return to Bozeman to face defending Big Sky champion Weber State on Thursday, Sept. 30, in Shroyer Gymnasium. Weber State is 2-0 in conference so far after beating Portland State and Sacramento State last week. Tickets are free for students with their CatCard or for purchase on the Bobcat Athletics webpage at msubobcats.com.