(Editor’s note: Montana State University press release)
BOZEMAN – Despite senior Natalie Passeck inching closer to the prestigious 1,000-kill milestone on Senior Night, her team-high eight kills wasn’t enough as Idaho State swept Montana State 25-19, 25-21, 25-19 on Thursday night in the season home finale in Shroyer Gym.
Idaho State (18-12, 12-5) jumped out to an early 9-3 advantage in the opening set and never looked back out-hitting Montana State (11-17, 6-11) .226 to .000. The Bobcats held strong in the second frame owning a 15-13 lead following a kill by setter Carina Lehto. ISU answered with a 6-0 run and took a 2-0 lead on a kill via Abby Garrity.
The Bengals maintained its momentum in the third stanza breaking away at seven-all with a 9-4 run to secure the victory.
“The long and the short of it was Idaho State served really well,” said MSU head coach Daniel Jones. “We did a decent job defensively. We just couldn’t get a first ball swing in system to put any pressure on them. They’re good at their craft.”
Also posting eight kills for Montana State was Hannah Scott. Lehto finished with 26 assists, four kills, two blocks, two digs and an ace, while Allyssa Rizzo paced all players defensively with a match-high 20 digs.
Idaho State was led by Garrity with 12 kills and four digs.
Montana State will finish the regular-season Big Sky schedule at Weber State on Saturday night.
