BOZEMAN – The Montana State volleyball team is under way with its first week of practices, and the Bobcats are ready to attack this year head-on.
Last year, the Cats finished the season with a 10-15 record, but they did score some big wins, defeating Gonzaga on the road and taking home the Utah State Tournament championship. However, Montana State was one game out of making it into the Big Sky Conference playoffs. Now, the Bobcats are using that finish to build their team up on the third day of camp.
“It was bittersweet. We had a conversation as a coaching staff. We felt like if we had made it last year, maybe that was a year too early for us and it wouldn’t have had the hunger and the drive that the girls have had this offseason and summer,” said head coach Daniel Jones.
But now that passion for the postseason can be seen on every face in Shroyer Gym. Jones knows his team doesn’t want to once again be the team on the outside looking in.
“They’ve been able to bring a heat and an intensity all summer that has been unmatched in my four years here,” said Jones. “So it’s been really exciting to see that, and I think that’s a result of them being so close they could taste it but not quite getting what they wanted.”
The Bobcats begin their season with an exhibition game against Carroll College on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.
