The Citadel defeated Montana State in four sets (25-21, 21-25, 25-23, 25-18) at the Husker Invite, taking advantage of errors by the Bobcats that accounted for 42% of their points. Despite a strong performance in the second set, where MSU outscored The Citadel with a .375 batting average, they struggled to stay consistent in the later sets. MSU’s coach spoke about the team’s early struggles and need for improvement, emphasizing the challenge of a tough schedule ahead. Key players included Madilyn Siebler with 13 kills and Lauren Lindseth with 22 digs. The Bobcats will next face No. 2 Nebraska.

In numbers

• 42% of Citadel’s points resulted from errors by the state of Montana.
• Montana State hit .375 in the second set compared to .297 by The Citadel.
• Madilyn Siebler recorded 13 kills and 16 digs in the game.

Yes but

While Montana State showed efficiency at times, their inconsistency throughout the match reflects underlying difficulties, especially in maintaining performance levels across sets. These fluctuations in play could pose risks as they face stronger opponents in upcoming matches.

Current status

• Montana State has a season record of 1-3 after this game.
• The Bobcats played a strong second set but struggled in the final two sets with a combined hitting percentage of .129.

What’s next

Montana State will face No. 2 seed Nebraska on Saturday, which will be a big challenge as the team continues to look for improvement and consistency in their play.

Conclusion

For Montana State to reach its full potential, they will need to translate their strong practice performances into consistent plays, especially given the challenging schedule. The upcoming game against Nebraska will be crucial in assessing their progress.