(Editor’s note: Montana State University press release)
BOZEMAN – Big Sky Conference volleyball coaches have selected Montana State to finish second in the league’s volleyball race in 2024, the Big Sky announced Thursday.
MSU is coming off the best season in program history, going 24-9 overall, 12-4 in Big Sky play and reaching the Fab Four of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship under new head coach Matt Houk.
The Bobcats were three points behind Weber State (73) and received two first-place finishes. The Wildcats received three first-place finishes, while Sacramento State (67) received four first-place finishes and Northern Colorado (61) received one first-place finish.
The coaches then chose: Portland State (50), Eastern Washington (40), Montana (37), Idaho State (25), Northern Arizona (18) and Idaho (9).
“I think this year’s preseason poll shows that there are some very strong teams in the conference and there is a lot of tie,” said Houk, who is entering his second season with the Bobcat program. “We are ready to tackle our slate of out-of-conference teams to prepare for the challenge that will be our Big Sky Conference. And as we all know, the only poll that really matters is the one at the end.”
Montana State opens its 2024 schedule on Aug. 30 with a game against Big 10 newcomer Washington at Shroyer Gym.
Big Sky Volleyball 2024 Preseason Coaches Poll
First place votes in brackets
1. Weber State (3) – 73
2. State of Montana (2) – 70
3. Sacramento State (4) – 67
4. Northern Colorado (1) – 61
5. Portland State – 50
6. Eastern Washington – 40
7. Montana – 37
8. State of Idaho – 25
9. Northern Arizona – 18
10.Idaho-9
