BOZEMAN — (Editor's Note: Montana State Athletics Press Release)
Allyssa Rizzo, who established herself as the best libero in Bobcat history last season as a senior, has been named a Volunteer Assistant at Montana State University, announced Head Coach Daniel Jones on Friday afternoon.
Rizzo smashed the Montana State career digs record last year posting a four-year total of 2,120 saves. She became only the third libero in Big Sky Conference history to go over the 2,000-dig plateau. Last fall, the product of Crestwood, Ill., broke her own single-season mark with 654 digs. For her efforts, Rizzo was named Big Sky Conference Libero of the Year and was a First-Team All-Big Sky selection.
“This is a real coup for Bobcat volleyball,” Jones said. “We had a great volunteer assistant in Sarah Frings with us coming into the season, when she left for the East Coast with her husband, my mind immediately turned to Rizzo.
“Allyssa landed a good job straight out of school at the Livingston Hospital, so we knew she would be around,” Jones added. “When I reached out to her, she was excited about the opportunity. She spent last season helping Bozeman High School with their program and has a love for the coaching profession, so the chance to step back in to Shroyer Gym to continue helping us build was something she jumped at.”
A three-time Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week, Rizzo ranked first in the Big Sky Conference, averaging 5.64 digs per set as a senior. That mark was the seventh best total in the country. In addition, her 654 digs led the league and was 11th best in the nation.
“It’s already paying off, the way she sees the game and reads the game is first class, which was evident from her playing career,” Jones said. “She has a huge passion for the sport of volleyball and an even bigger one for the Bobcats, that is the perfect recipe to help shape the future of this program.”
Montana State travels to Missoula to face Montana, Feb. 14 & 15 in Dahlberg Arena.