Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Montana State
Wildcats drop heart-breaker to Bobcats
10/9/2011 4:35:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
OGDEN, Utah - They don't get a whole lot more painful than this.
Desperately seeking its first win of the season, the Weber State University women's volleyball team came up two points short on Saturday night.
Despite three players in double figures kills and multiple season highs, the Wildcats fell 23-25, 25-15, 25-21, 16-25, 16-14 to Montana State in Big Sky Conference action at Swenson Gym.
Weber State dropped to 0-6 in Big Sky play, 0-18 overall with the loss, while Montana State improved to 2-5, 2-15 with its second straight win.
Junior outside hitter Bethany Wray had 22 kills and eight digs to lead the Wildcats, her third highest total of the season. Freshman outside hitter Mackenzie Clark had a career high 14 kills, while sophomore outside hitter Briana Wilms added 10 kills and four blocks.
Junior setter Caitlin Penrod had a career-high 52 assists, a career high-tying 10 digs and four blocks, including three solo block.
Freshman libero Shelby Earl had 13 digs and junior defensive specialist Michel Arave had 10 digs for the Wildcats.
Weber State jumped out to an early lead and held on for a two-point win in the first set, taking a 1-0 lead in the match. It was just the second time this season the Wildcats have won the first set of a match.
Montana State countered with wins in the second and third sets to take the 2-1 match lead.
Needing to capture the fourth set to prolong the match, the Wildcats responded with a strong effort and cruised to a nine-point set victory to level the match at 2-2.
Montana State burst out to a 4-0 lead in the decisive fifth set and seemed poised to pull away, but Weber State clawed back to tie it at 14-14 before the Bobcats scored the final two points.
The Wildcats will return to action on the road, taking on league co-leader Northern Colorado at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Greeley, Colo.
