#7 Chelsea Oemcke

We came off a good win from Seattle last Sunday and were hoping to carry that momentum into this weekend. We started off playing Northern Colorado, the top ranked team in the conference, on Friday night. We came out strong and confident from the start, which led to a win in the first set. Although we out hit them in the third set, we ended up falling short in the end to a good team.

Saturday night we came out with the same high energy as we did on Friday, which again gave us a win in the first set. Unfortunately, we did not adjust to their hitters quick enough for it to make a difference in the end. Even though the outcome of this weekend was not what we wanted, we proved that we increased our energy level and “scrappiness” than we have previously shown.

This week we will need to work on closing and eliminating our errors in the last five points of the match. This is the most critical time and we tend to freeze up our skills we had performed earlier throughout the match.  In practice, we will need to work on our whole defensive line, starting with the block and continuing to the back row. As well as remaining to be aggressive in every move we make. This will prepare us well for the upcoming matches on the road against Portland State and Eastern Washington.  LET’S GO CATS!!

#11 Ursula Kunhardt

Hello Cats fans! 

This past weekend we played Sac State and Seattle University.  To prepare for our match against Sacramento State on Saturday night we went to support our AMAZING football team as they took on Northern Arizona and walked away with yet another win. Unfortunately, we couldn't pull off a win that same night on the volleyball court. We fought hard against the Hornets, but their exceptional defense caught us at the wrong moments. After a rough loss, we all went home and got a good nights rest, visualized and brought our "A" game on Sunday against Seattle University, taking them down in just three sets! It was a great way to close out the first half of our season.

Now that the second half of our league begins next weekend, we are going to come out stronger than ever before. We have a fire in our hearts and we all know what it takes to be the best team in our conference. Coming up this weekend we take on Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado, for the second time this season. Come cheer us on as we put two more "W"'s on our record! LET'S GO CATS!!!!

"Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them: A desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill." -Muhammad Ali

This is Bobcat Volleyball!!!!

Big Sky Confernece Highlights #1 Rachelle Allen

This week, the Big Sky Conference chose to highlight Montana State's own Rachelle Allen in an interview.  We are so proud of this recognition and all that our senior captain does for our team.  Below is the transcript of the interview.  If you would like to see the the actual page CLICK HERE.

Montana State senior Rachelle Allen, from Longmont, Colo., took the time out of her busy schedule of school and volleyball to answer a few questions with the Big Sky Conference. Allen talked about how she got started playing volleyball, her favorite places to eat in Bozeman and what she plans on doing after volleyball and school.

Allen was named to the Big Sky Conference Honorable Mention in 2010 and named to the 2010 All-Academic team. She sat out the 2008 season due to a shoulder injury.

So far this season, Allen has 151 kills with a .164 hitting percentage, 160 digs, 12 serving aces and 25 blocks. Allen helped the Bobcats to a couple of five-set road wins against Idaho State and Weber State. She had a double-double against ISU with a 10 kills and 13 digs, and had 21 kills with a .405 hitting percentage against Weber State.

Allen and the Bobcats have a 2-15 overall record and a 2-5 conference record. They will compete at home on Saturday against Sacramento State. The match begins at 7 p.m. MST and can be watched for free on Big Sky TV.

 

Q: How did you get started playing volleyball?

A: I played soccer my entire life and was looking to try something new and volleyball automatically caught my attention.

 

Q: When being recruited, what made you choose Montana State?

A: Bozeman is a community that is unlike anything I have ever been a part of. The support for the athletes, the amazing atmosphere we play in, is a great feeling. We are spoiled playing with the support of some of the best fans.

 

Q: What have been some of your favorite memories at Montana State?

A: My favorite memories have been playing in front of a packed house every home match, as well as, meeting some of the best friends I will keep for a lifetime.

 

Q: You missed the 2008 season with a shoulder injury. What did you do? And how was it coming back from an injury?

A: I was fortunate enough to still travel through that season and help support my team. It was a difficult task coming back from a surgery that kept me out for so long. Coming back and taking my first swing was a mental hurdle, but my shoulder is a lot better now.

 

Q: How much have your coaches and teammates helped you?

A: They have helped me tremendously inside and outside of volleyball. They are great and I am very thankful for having them in my life.

 

Q: What are your personal goals for this season?

A: To be the best leader and teammate I can be for this team.

 

Q: What are your team goals for this season?

A: To keep fighting throughout the entire season and playing to our best potential.

 

Q: You were named to the Big Sky Conference All-Academic team in 2010. How important is school to you?

A: School has always been extremely important to me. My education is a very important aspect of my future. I want to do well on my academics to give me plenty of options when the graduation time comes.

 

Q: Tell us something we wouldn’t know about you?

A: My brothers are my favorite people in the entire world.

 

Q: It is your senior season, what are your plans after volleyball and school?

A: I plan on getting my masters in Sports Management or Communications Entertainment. I may apply for a couple Grad Assistant positions to stay involved in volleyball.

 

Q: Who is the best dancer on the team and why?

A: Dancing may just be one of our team's favorite activities. Everyone is great at it and has a blast, but I would have to say Nicole Baker really has her goofy moves that take the cake.

 

Q: Where is your favorite place to eat in Bozeman?

A: The local places are where it’s at in Bozeman. I love La Parilla, a Mexican restaurant similar to my favorite Chipotle.

 

Q: What if your favorite road trip in the Big Sky and why?

A: My favorite trip is by far to Northern Colorado. It is an amazing trip getting to see my family and friends supporting us at the match. We also have a team dinner at my house every year; it is always nice getting to go home during the season.

 

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go and why?

A: I want to travel to Bali and Indonesia. It may sound random, but I have always wanted to travel to a place where the culture teaches us how to enjoy and cherish the life we have. It also helps that it is very warm and beautiful there which are two of my main travel requirements.

#9 Kellee Kackman

Came back with a vengeance this weekend! What a great weekend on the road. Not only did we win against Idaho State but against Weber too! That is the first time in Bobcat history that we have swept this weekend against those two teams. Also, it’s the first sweep of a weekend for the Bobcats since 2001! The team’s spirits are very high after this weekend and ready to do it again this weekend in Shroyer!

Some highlights of this weekend were, during our down time this weekend we got to relax and swim a bit before the hard work on the court. Our libero Baker led us all in a water aerobics, dance class at the hotel pool that got our spirits up I’m sure. After the games, it was refreshing to be the team in the locker screaming and cheering after a victory.

We are so lucky to have great supporting fans on the road too! At Weber I believe we had more fans than the home team did. The fight song after the game made it that much better! Thank you to all the fans that supported us this weekend!

This week it’s back to the books and back in the gym to prepare for Sacramento State (Saturday at 7pm) and Seattle (Sunday at 1pm) that comes this weekend! Lets keep this win streak going!!

GO CATS!!

Click here for Press Release on Idaho State Match
Click here for Press Release on Weber State Match

#3 Macy Page

There has been so much excitement this past week! Not only was it Homecoming, but we played the Griz in a "Shake Shroyer" match and got to enjoy time with some very fantastic recruits :)  Our match vs. the Griz didn't go so well..we lost in three, but we will be coming back with a vengeance this weekend at Idaho State and Weber State so be sure to watch online!

Saturday we had a wonderful breakfast together at our teammate Lauren Curtis' home. After that we made sure to show our recruits what MSU pride was all about at the football game. They were impresed by the new addition to the stadium and by all the screaming fans that filled it. It was a great time! But now we are excited to get back in the gym and fight for a win this weekend!

GO CATS!