Montana State Defeats Rival Montana in Season Finale
In a thrilling showdown at Worthington Arena, Montana State University claimed victory over rival Montana in their final match of the season, solidifying their position in the Big Sky Conference Tournament. The Bobcats asserted themselves with an aggressive style of play, as Head Coach Matt Houk emphasized a focus on assertiveness leading up to the match.
Montana State triumphed with set scores of 25-17, 25-21, and 25-23, in front of 3,567 enthusiastic fans. The senior duo of Jourdain Kamps and Jordan Radick led the charge, combining for 18 kills and 12 blocks. Kamps notably registered a team-high 10 kills along with seven blocks, while Radick contributed eight kills and five blocks.
The match began strongly for the Bobcats, who quickly took a 9-5 lead in the first set. Despite a few attempts from Montana to close the gap, including a brief advantage in the second set, Montana State maintained control, pulling ahead decisively in both the second and third sets. The final set witnessed several ties and lead changes, but MSU finished strong, buoyed by key plays from sophomore Joelie Spelts, who tallied four kills.
Houk expressed pride in the win, highlighting the fantastic atmosphere created by the crowd. “It feels good to get the win in front of a great crowd,” he said, while also acknowledging the challenges ahead. With a record of 9-18 overall and 7-9 in conference play, the Bobcats are now poised to face their next challenge in the upcoming Big Sky Tournament. The team is eager to carry the momentum from this victory as they prepare for the postseason.
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Photo credit msubobcats.com
