Nov. 16, 2009

Game Notes: Montana State and Montana

Pocatello, ID--Idaho State (12-14, BSC 6-8) will attempt to control what it can in its efforts to grab a fourth place seed to clinch a Big Sky tournament appearance when the Bengals host Montana State (1-13, BSC 3-21) on Friday, November 20 and Montana (8-6, BSC 12-13) on Saturday, November 21 both starting at 7 p.m. ISU's match on Saturday is the last home match of the season marking Senior Day. Idaho State needs both wins and a Montana loss to Weber State to earn a postseason berth. On Friday against Montana State the Bengals will be running a Youth Night promotion where kids 12 and under will get into the game for free.

ISU is in search of its ninth Big Sky tournament appearance. ISU's last tournament appearance was in 2005 which may come down to the last match if Montana loses at Weber State. Three Bengals will celebrate Senior Day against Montana for the third straight season. Redshirt senior Paige Palmer and seniors Kolay Mickelsen-Sutton and Emily Waldron will be playing their last their final home matches of their careers.

Idaho State is currently on a three match win streak, tying its longest streak previously posted at the beginning of the season. The Bengals post a 12-14 record for the year already beating the team's last season a 10-20 effort. Idaho State posts a 6-8 Big Sky record to tie Sacramento State for fifth place in the conference rankings.

The Bengals have steadily been increasing their hitting percentage with its last three Big Sky matches to improve to a .207 attack percentage in Big Sky play averaging 13.04 kills per set. ISU has a tough service game as they lead the team edges out its opponents averaging 1.30 aces per set, led by Waldron who has recorded 20 this season. The Bengals average 1.45 blocks per set but are out-blocked by its opponents 220-to-136.

Senior Waldron leads the Bengals averaging 3.45 kills per set hitting a .237 attack percentage in the Big Sky. She also leads ISU in service aces with 0.34 per set in conference play. Sophomore Jaclyn Hone who has helped the Bengals defensively in ISU's last three contests now posts the second most digs on the team averaging 3.34 per set. Libero Palmer leads the Bengals in digs with 4.62 per set in Big Sky play. Junior Sarah Carson leads the Bengals blocking effort averaging 0.87 per set in league play.

Montana State posts a 3-21 record and are 1-13 in the Big Sky having won their only match over rival Montana in Missoula in five sets snapping the team's 44-match Big Sky losing streak. The Bobcats are currently on a six-match losing streak. Montana State is a good team even if they don't see results posting six five set matches in Big Sky play, but coming out top only once. MSU hits a .143 attack percentage in league play and posts 1.92 blocks per set. They are led by Kyla Hendry averaging 2.55 kills per set. Montana State leads the series 30-29 with Idaho State capturing the last meeting in five sets earlier this season on the road. Idaho State has captured the last seven matches between the teams dating back to 2006.

Montana needs to win its last two matches over Weber State and Idaho State to attend the Big Sky Tournament. Montana currently holds the fourth place ranking in the Big Sky with a 6-8 league record. UM is 12-13 for the season. The Griz post a .212 attack percentage in league play and are averaging 2.71 blocks per set. Montana is led by Jaimie Thibeault who averages 3.44 kills per set with a .389 attack percentage. The Griz lead the series 37-27 with Idaho State capturing the last meeting in four sets breaking a six-match win streak over the Bengals. ISU has hosted senior night three years in a row against Montana.