(Editor’s note: Montana State University media release)
BOZEMAN – The Montana State volleyball team hit .230 as a unit and produced 54 kills and 68 digs en route to a 25-17, 25-19, 25-20 win over Carroll College in exhibition play on Monday night in Shroyer Gym.
The Bobcats got out to a 19-6 lead in the opening set and used a kill by freshman Serena Caspersen to take a 1-0 lead in the match. MSU went up 2-0 at intermission as senior Natalie Passeck closed out the set. Passeck along with Evi Wilson and Kelsie White guided MSU offensively, while Allyssa Rizzo anchored the backrow with nine digs.
“We jumped on them early and they responded very nicely,” said second-year head coach Daniel Jones. “I thought we did a nice job distributing the ball and giving ourselves a bunch of different options. We were able to use the whole roster and over the next few days we’ll need to settle into some rotations and tidy-up a few things.”
Carroll College took its first lead of the match in set three at 14-13 on a kill via Ali Williams, but MSU answered with a 12-6 run capped by a White kill for the victory. White finished with 10 kills. Setter Carina Lehto dished out 38 assists and added eight digs and six aces. Rizzo finished with 19 saves.
The Saints were paced by Lexi Mikkelsen with 11 kills and nine digs.
”To play someone else, and a high-quality opponent like Carroll College, really gave us an opportunity to compete before we hit the road this week,” Jones said. “It sets us up where we can evaluate and assess and go back and work hard the next two days.”
Montana State will open its season at the Cleveland State Tournament on Friday against Canisius.
