(Editor’s note: Montana State University media release)
BOZEMAN – The Montana State volleyball team, fresh off winning the Seattle U Invitational over the weekend, has swept the Big Sky Conference Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards, the league office announced on Monday afternoon.
Junior Evi Wilson, an outside hitter from Vancouver, Wash., captured offensive honors after averaging 3.50 kills per set with a .333 attack mark. Junior Allyssa Rizzo, who has established herself as one of the top liberos in the league, won the defensive nod after averaging 5.50 digs per set on the weekend.
“These are well deserved and hard-earned accolades,” said MSU second-year head coach Daniel Jones. “The recognition for both Evi and (Allyssa) Rizzo are a reflection on their personal hard work and the efforts of their teammates to put them in positions to succeed in their roles. I’m personally excited for them both, and I know as a program we will enjoy recognizing this moment.
“We know we are on the right path,” Jones added. “And, that the journey is just beginning as we get in to conference play this week.”
Wilson paced MSU offensively at the Seattle U Invitational. Behind her efforts, Montana State became the first Big Sky team to knock off the Redhawks this season, as Weber State, Sacramento State and Idaho State all fell to Seattle U. On the weekend, she averaged 3.50 kills with a .333 attack mark. In addition, she averaged 1.00 digs per set and had four blocks. For her efforts, she was named to the all-tournament team.
In MSU’s opener against Tennessee Tech, Wilson notched 17 kills with a .410 attack mark. Against Seattle U, she added 11 kills and five digs. On the season, Wilson has been averaging 3.08 kps, while hitting .229 from the field.
Rizzo also had an all-tournament team performance at the Seattle U Invitational. The junior posted 44 digs on the weekend, averaging 5.50 saves per game.
In MSU’s win over Seattle U, she logged 24 saves, averaging an impressive 6.00 dps. Rizzo also notched 20 digs in MSU’s win over Tennessee Tech. She has been over 20 digs in eight of MSU’s 11 matches on the season.
Over the weekend, she also added seven assists and six service aces. Rizzo is currently averaging 5.32 digs per contest. She now has 1,078 career digs, which ranks seventh all-time at Montana State.
Montana State will open its home and Big Sky Conference seasons when it hosts Portland State on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m., in Shroyer Gym.
