Weber State University Athletics
Friday, November 24
Greeley, CO
7:00 p.m.
Weber State University
21-9,11-5Big Sky
3
vs
2
Montana State
21-8,12-4Big Sky
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weber St. | 22 | 26 | 22 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
| Montana St. | 25 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 13 | 2 |
Photo by: Big Sky Conference
Weber State Volleyball Wins in a Thrilling Five-Set Championship Match
11/24/2023 10:07:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
'Cats advance to NCAA Volleyball Tournament
Greeley, CO – The Weber State volleyball team made an amazing comeback in a thrilling five-set match against the Montana State Bobcats. The victory awards them the 2023 Big Sky Championship title. This is the third Big Sky Tournament title for the Wildcats in school history and will be their third NCAA Tournament appearance.
With a tough start to the match, Weber State trailed Montana State throughout the entirety of the first set. Unable to secure a single lead over the Bobcats, MSU walked away with a 1-0 advantage over the Wildcats.
The second set was tightly contested. Montana State was leading things 13-8 when Weber State started to turn the tables. The Wildcats strung a few points together to make the score 24-24, and would eventually take the set victory 26-24 after two Bobcat errors.
After tying the match 1-1, the Wildcats fought hard in the third looking for that 2-1 advantage. With a combination of strong offensive and defensive presences, the Wildcats ran with a 3-1 run to trail the Bobcats by one. However, a five-point run later made by Montana State gave them the separation needed and MSU went up 2-1, with a 25-22 set win.
Both teams remained steady to start the fourth set. Exchanging points throughout the beginning of the set, Montana State ran away with a 7-1 run pulling them ahead of the Wildcats by four. Weber State trailed the Bobcats until a kill made by Liana Woodley and an attack error by the Bobcats tied the set 19-19. Neither team could maintain a lead of more than two points throughout the remainder of the set until two attack errors by the Bobcats pushed the match to five sets with a 25-21 Weber State win.
The fifth and final set started with a 5-0 Montana State advantage. However, not backing down, the Wildcats worked their way back into the set with two kills made by Dani Richins. From there a service ace made by Ashley Gneiting tied the set 12-12. Weber State simply held defensively strong and a block by Saane Katoa and Kate Standifird led the Wildcats to victory and crowned them the 2023 Big Sky Champions.
Weber State hit a respectable .249 compared to the Bobcats .202. Dani Richins led the Wildcats with an amazing 27 kills, two service aces, and 18 digs. Liana Woodley and Saane Katoa both recorded 11 kills. Weber State had 23 attack errors under Montana State's 27.
Up Next: With the victory, the Wildcats will advance to the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. The NCAA selection show is on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 4 p.m. on ESPN.
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With a tough start to the match, Weber State trailed Montana State throughout the entirety of the first set. Unable to secure a single lead over the Bobcats, MSU walked away with a 1-0 advantage over the Wildcats.
The second set was tightly contested. Montana State was leading things 13-8 when Weber State started to turn the tables. The Wildcats strung a few points together to make the score 24-24, and would eventually take the set victory 26-24 after two Bobcat errors.
After tying the match 1-1, the Wildcats fought hard in the third looking for that 2-1 advantage. With a combination of strong offensive and defensive presences, the Wildcats ran with a 3-1 run to trail the Bobcats by one. However, a five-point run later made by Montana State gave them the separation needed and MSU went up 2-1, with a 25-22 set win.
Both teams remained steady to start the fourth set. Exchanging points throughout the beginning of the set, Montana State ran away with a 7-1 run pulling them ahead of the Wildcats by four. Weber State trailed the Bobcats until a kill made by Liana Woodley and an attack error by the Bobcats tied the set 19-19. Neither team could maintain a lead of more than two points throughout the remainder of the set until two attack errors by the Bobcats pushed the match to five sets with a 25-21 Weber State win.
The fifth and final set started with a 5-0 Montana State advantage. However, not backing down, the Wildcats worked their way back into the set with two kills made by Dani Richins. From there a service ace made by Ashley Gneiting tied the set 12-12. Weber State simply held defensively strong and a block by Saane Katoa and Kate Standifird led the Wildcats to victory and crowned them the 2023 Big Sky Champions.
Weber State hit a respectable .249 compared to the Bobcats .202. Dani Richins led the Wildcats with an amazing 27 kills, two service aces, and 18 digs. Liana Woodley and Saane Katoa both recorded 11 kills. Weber State had 23 attack errors under Montana State's 27.
Up Next: With the victory, the Wildcats will advance to the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. The NCAA selection show is on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 4 p.m. on ESPN.
Follow the Wildcats!
Team Stats
Weber
MSU
Kills
67
61
Errors
23
27
Attempts
177
168
Hitting %
.249
.202
Points
79.0
76.0
Assists
61
56
Aces
4
7
Blocks
8
8
Game Leaders
Kills
27
Aces
2
Blocks
3
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
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