Weber State University Athletics
Thursday, October 20
Missoula, Mont.
7:00 PM
Weber State University
at
Montana
Photo by: Freddie Lacey
GAME NOTES: Wildcats Head to Montana, Aim to Get Back to Winning Ways
10/19/2022 12:36:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Match 17: Weber State (11-7, 5-2) at Montana (11-8, 4-3)
Thursday, October 20 | 7:00 PM
Missoula, MT | Dahlberg Arena
TV Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: Weber State at Montana (statbroadcast.com)
Match 18: Weber State (11-7, 5-2) at Montana State (7-12, 3-4)
Saturday, October 22 | 7:00 PM
Bozeman, MT | Shroyer Gym
TV Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: Weber State at Montana State (statbroadcast.com)
THE MATCHES
• After splitting matches against the top two teams in the Big Sky Conference last week, Weber State Volleyball hits the road to play the Montana Grizzlies and the Montana State Bobcats.
• The Wildcats have performed well in the state of Montana since Jeremiah Larsen took over, with their last loss coming in five sets in Bozeman in 2016.
• WSU has won five of its last six matches - a streak which featured the team's longest winning streak of the season.
• Weber State is currently riding seven-match win streaks against both Montana and Montana State.
• After splitting last weekend's matches, the Wildcats remain in third place in the Big Sky Conference standings.
QUICK HITS
• Weber State has won back-to-back Big Sky Conference championships, including the 2020-21 conference tournament. Over the past two championship seasons, the Wildcats went 41-12 overall and 28-4 in conference play. In 2021, the team advanced to the quarterfinals of the NIVC, and in 2020-21 the Wildcats won the first NCAA tournament match in program history.
• Dani Richins was named the 2021 Big Sky Conference MVP, and was named an All-American for the second time in her career.
• The Wildcats hosted the Big Sky Conference tournament for the first time in program history in 2021. They advanced to the championship match for the third consecutive season.
• After having claimed the 2021 Big Sky regular season championship in 2021, Weber State also claimed the right to host the 2022 Big Sky Conference championship.
• The Wildcats were picked No. 2 in the Big Sky preseason polls, receiving two first-place votes.
• The Weber State defense has been tops in the conference so far this season, and leads the Big Sky in digging (15.44/set), opponent hitting percentage (.167), and blocking (2.54/set), and is second in opponent service aces (1.34/set).
RANKING RICHINS
• Two-time All-American Dani Richins currently ranks in WSU's career top ten in kills (1,292), kills per set (3.40/set), attacks (3,707), and service aces (150).
• Richins is just the third Wildcat to be named Big Sky Conference MVP, and is the second in as many years to receive the honor (Rylin Adams).
• Two weeks ago Richins totaled 33 kills for a 4.7 kills/set average and hit .311with five service aces last weekend and was named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week for the fifth time in her career.
FANTASTIC FRESHMEN
• The Wildcats most recent recruiting class is one of the most highly-touted in school history, and several fantastic freshman are already making big impacts.
• Saane Katoa was named Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week in the opening week of the season. She tallied 19.0 blocks in the Wildcat Invitational - a tournament that Weber State went 3-0 in.
• When the Wildcats have needed a clutch kill, they've turned to true freshman Ashley Gneiting. Gneiting - who has scored crucial set and match-clinching kills several times this season - has led the team in kills in four matches this season.
• High School All-American Brielle Rueckert had season highs in kills (10), attempts (13), and hitting percentage (.769) in Weber State's comeback win against Idaho State on 9/30. She's currently hitting an amazing .387 on the season.
Thursday, October 20 | 7:00 PM
Missoula, MT | Dahlberg Arena
TV Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: Weber State at Montana (statbroadcast.com)
Match 18: Weber State (11-7, 5-2) at Montana State (7-12, 3-4)
Saturday, October 22 | 7:00 PM
Bozeman, MT | Shroyer Gym
TV Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: Weber State at Montana State (statbroadcast.com)
THE MATCHES
• After splitting matches against the top two teams in the Big Sky Conference last week, Weber State Volleyball hits the road to play the Montana Grizzlies and the Montana State Bobcats.
• The Wildcats have performed well in the state of Montana since Jeremiah Larsen took over, with their last loss coming in five sets in Bozeman in 2016.
• WSU has won five of its last six matches - a streak which featured the team's longest winning streak of the season.
• Weber State is currently riding seven-match win streaks against both Montana and Montana State.
• After splitting last weekend's matches, the Wildcats remain in third place in the Big Sky Conference standings.
QUICK HITS
• Weber State has won back-to-back Big Sky Conference championships, including the 2020-21 conference tournament. Over the past two championship seasons, the Wildcats went 41-12 overall and 28-4 in conference play. In 2021, the team advanced to the quarterfinals of the NIVC, and in 2020-21 the Wildcats won the first NCAA tournament match in program history.
• Dani Richins was named the 2021 Big Sky Conference MVP, and was named an All-American for the second time in her career.
• The Wildcats hosted the Big Sky Conference tournament for the first time in program history in 2021. They advanced to the championship match for the third consecutive season.
• After having claimed the 2021 Big Sky regular season championship in 2021, Weber State also claimed the right to host the 2022 Big Sky Conference championship.
• The Wildcats were picked No. 2 in the Big Sky preseason polls, receiving two first-place votes.
• The Weber State defense has been tops in the conference so far this season, and leads the Big Sky in digging (15.44/set), opponent hitting percentage (.167), and blocking (2.54/set), and is second in opponent service aces (1.34/set).
RANKING RICHINS
• Two-time All-American Dani Richins currently ranks in WSU's career top ten in kills (1,292), kills per set (3.40/set), attacks (3,707), and service aces (150).
• Richins is just the third Wildcat to be named Big Sky Conference MVP, and is the second in as many years to receive the honor (Rylin Adams).
• Two weeks ago Richins totaled 33 kills for a 4.7 kills/set average and hit .311with five service aces last weekend and was named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week for the fifth time in her career.
FANTASTIC FRESHMEN
• The Wildcats most recent recruiting class is one of the most highly-touted in school history, and several fantastic freshman are already making big impacts.
• Saane Katoa was named Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week in the opening week of the season. She tallied 19.0 blocks in the Wildcat Invitational - a tournament that Weber State went 3-0 in.
• When the Wildcats have needed a clutch kill, they've turned to true freshman Ashley Gneiting. Gneiting - who has scored crucial set and match-clinching kills several times this season - has led the team in kills in four matches this season.
• High School All-American Brielle Rueckert had season highs in kills (10), attempts (13), and hitting percentage (.769) in Weber State's comeback win against Idaho State on 9/30. She's currently hitting an amazing .387 on the season.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's VolleyballWeber State vs. Portland State
Friday, October 31
Weber State Volleyball In-Depth | Episode 18: Kaylie Ray
Wednesday, October 08
Weber State Volleyball In-Depth | Episode 17: Jayda Tupea
Tuesday, October 07
Weber State vs. Idaho State | 10-3-25
Friday, October 03