The Citadel scored 42 percent of its points off of Montana State errors en route to a 25-21, 21-25, 25-23, 25-18 victory over the Bobcats at the University of Nebraska Husker Invite on Friday morning at the Devaney Sports Center.
Despite its errors, Montana State (1-3) had one of its most efficient sets of the season in the second period, beating The Citadel (3-2) .375 to .297. The Bobcats made just two errors on 40 attempts to take their only set of the match. MSU hit .129 in the final two sets, while the Bulldogs hit .308 to take the win.
“We’re struggling with some teething issues,” said MSU head coach Matt Houk. “We have to learn some things and figure out who we are. We have to consistently execute on the potential we’re showing in practice.”
“We knew our schedule was going to be tough,” he added. “The guys are saying the right things, now they have to put it into action on the field.”
Madilyn Siebler led MSU with 13 kills and 16 digs, while Camryn Greenwald And Jordan Radick– the Bobcats’ middle blockers – combined for 15 kills, a .286 offensive mark and five blocks. Nellie Stevenson gave 43 assists, while Libero Lauren Lindseth led MSU defensively with 22 digs, the highest of the game.
Bobcat, sophomore Joelie Spelts came in from the outside and scored a career-high seven kills. Erika Gustafson also recorded six kills and five blocks in his career.
“We had to mix things up and it was nice to see Joelie and Erika on the court,” Houk said. “Things aren’t going to get easier for us, so we’ve got to accept the challenge and control the things we can control.”
Montana State faces No. 2 Nebraska on Saturday at 1 p.m. (MT)
Sentence 1: The Citadel took a 10-5 lead in the early stages and extended their lead to 23-17 after a block by Mackenzie Martin and Peri Hoshock. Montana State scored three points in a row to close the gap, but the Bulldogs won the first set thanks to a kill by Ali Ruffin and a hitting error by the Bobcats. Jourdain Kamps MSU led the set with four kills, while Nellie Stevenson gave 12 assists and Libero Lauren Lindseth He dominates the back row with nine digs.
Sentence 2: With the set tied at 14-14, Montana State took the lead with a 6-1 run sparked by two service aces. MSU held on to its lead until the end and tied the game at 1-1. Madilyn Siebler Kill. The Bobcats outscored The Citadel in the set, .375 to .297, as MSU committed just two hitting errors in 40 attempts. Madilyn Siebler, Camryn GreenwaldAnd Joelie Spelts led the Bobcats offense with four kills each. Jordan Radick posted two blocks and Lauren Lindseth five digs added.
Sentence 3: In the final moments of the set, The Citadel was ahead 22-21, played side-out ball and took a 24-22 lead after a service error by MSU. The Bulldogs won the set with a kill by Ali Ruffin. Madilyn Siebler And Erika Gustafson MSU led with three kills each, while Nellie Stevenson recorded 10 assists and Siebler six digs.
Sentence 4: The Citadel outscored Montana State .387 to .000, while the Bulldogs pulled away from a 15-15 score with a 10-3 run to end the game. Madilyn Siebler had four kills in the set, while Nellie Stevenson And Lauren Lindseth each added two service aces.
