Bobcats fall in five to Utah Tech, rebound to beat Southern Utah in double-header at home

The Bobcats hosted a double-header at home last weekend in front of season-record crowds for the annual Pack the Place in Pink game — which supports breast cancer research and awareness. 

The MSU women's volleyball team lost a five-set match to Utah Tech Trailblazers — who are undefeated in the Big Sky Conference — on Thursday, Oct. 15. 

They went on to beat the Southern Utah Thunderbirds in four sets Saturday, Oct. 17, in front of the biggest crowd of the season at Shroyer Gym in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. 

The Bobcats won the first set 26-24 and the fourth 25-21. Utah Tech won the second and third sets 25-22 and 25-21, then took the fifth 15-11 in front of 1,046 fans on Thursday.

The Bobcats started well. They had 21 kills to Utah Tech’s 10 in the first set and hit .333 through 10 lead changes. The Trailblazers answered by winning two straight sets, though the teams had 30 combined kills per set. 

MSU bounced back in the fourth set, hitting .351 with 17 kills. The ‘Cats led for most of the set, but the fifth went the other way. Utah Tech built a four-point lead late and held it.

The Bobcats out-killed the Trailblazers 77-65 for the match, but they had 26 hitting errors and 13 service errors.

"I told the team that it was a really positive night, but it should hurt," Head Coach Matt Houk said. “We have to produce a little bit more to give ourselves a chance in these rallies, so that's a growth opportunity for the team, but I'm really happy with the way they performed tonight." 

Houk said the offense is in a good place and the difference between MSU and the teams above it in the standings is fewer mistakes.

Saturday’s match was the annual Pack the Place in Pink game, which raises money for breast cancer awareness. The Bobcats wore pink, and 1,334 fans showed up. MSU won in four sets that night: 25-16, 26-28, 25-16 and 33-31.

“I think Pack the Place in Pink is such an important cause, and to see the community come out and support it in this way is incredible," Houk said. "Bozeman did not disappoint. Fans just keep coming and they are seeing what good volleyball looks like, and we are very excited to continue to be a part of that." 

MSU hit .563 in the first set and won by nine points. Southern Utah won the second set after leading 23-21. MSU scored the next two points after a timeout, but the Thunderbirds pulled even at 25 and 26 and won it 28-26.

The Bobcats led from start to finish in the third set.

The fourth set went long. MSU led 19-14, but Southern Utah wouldn’t go away. The Bobcats had six chances to finish before outside hitter Lauren Greeny’s 12th kill of the night ended it at 33-31.

“That one was a bit of an emotional roller coaster,” Houk said. “It didn't necessarily feel good all the time, and maybe it's not supposed to, but we got it done." 

Houk said the Bobcats’ hitting dropped off after the first set and a lot of small plays weren’t getting made. He said he was proud of the team for sticking with it.

MSU still hit .270 for the match to Southern Utah’s .196, and it out-blocked the Thunderbirds 15-6. Middle blocker Alice Steman had a career-high eight blocks and five kills. Outside hitter Karli Heidemann had a career-high seven blocks and 12 kills.

Outside hitter Joelie Spelts led the offense with 16 kills while hitting .483. Greeny and outside hitter Elli Esko each added 12 kills. Setter Teagan Jaynes had 51 assists. Libero Nicolette Noble had 17 digs, Greeny had 14, and libero Afton Thomsen had 10 along with two aces.

MSU plays at Weber State in Ogden, Utah at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, then hosts Idaho State at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. 

To keep up with MSU women's volleyball, visit their website at https://msubobcats.com/sports/womens-volleyball.