(Editor’s note: Montana State University media release)
BOZEMAN – For the second consecutive week Montana State volleyball standout Allyssa Rizzo has been named Big Sky Conference defensive player of the week. This time for her efforts against Portland State and Sacramento State, announced the league office on Monday afternoon.
Rizzo had an outstanding opening weekend of Big Sky Conference play, averaging an impressive 7.33 digs per set. On the weekend, the product of Crestwood, Ill., posted 66 digs, going over the 30 dig plateau in both matches.
In Montana State’s 3-2 win over Portland State, Rizzo recorded a career-high 34 digs. She followed that with a 32-dig performance against Sacramento State. Against the Hornets, Rizzo averaged a whopping 8.00 digs per set. She opened the first set against the Hornets with 11 saves. Rizzo leads the Big Sky Conference averaging 5.66 digs per set, which also ranks No. 11 in the nation.
In her third season as MSU’s starting libero, Rizzo has notched 1,144 career digs and is listed seventh on MSU’s all-time career digs chart. She currently has 300 digs and has her sights set on breaking the all-time single-season mark, as well. The Bobcat single-season record of 514 digs was set by Nicole Baker in 2011.
Montana’s Mykaela Hammer was named the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week, while Northern Arizona’s Kaylie Jorgenson shared defensive accolades with Rizzo.
Montana State will play at Montana on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. in Dahlberg Arena.
