Around Montana: Bobcat volleyball signs three

By Chronicle Staff

Montana State head volleyball coach Sara Schaub announced Wednesday the signing of three high school athletes to National Letters-of-Intent to become part of the Bobcat program for the 2009 season.

Signing with Montana State are: Kylie Edinger, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker from Billings; Taylar Barney, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker/outside hitter from St. George, Utah; and Jennifer Lundquist, a 5-foot-10 setter from Surrey, British Columbia.

Edinger was recently named a 2008-09 Under Armour Second-Team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. She has been part of the Billings Senior dynasty that has notched an 89-2 overall mark during her tenure with the Broncs. As a senior, Edinger has helped BSH to a 27-0 record and will be in action today at the all-class state volleyball tournament at MSU’s Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

“Kylie comes from an outstanding program and has received tremendous instruction from head coach Jeff Carroll,” Schaub said. “As a program, one of our top goals is to get the best in-state players at Montana State.  We certainly accomplish that mission with the signing of Kyle Edinger.”

Edinger, a four-year letterwinner, has posted a career 350 kills, 205 blocks, 51 service aces, and a .299 attack mark. In addition to leading Billings Senior to back-to-back state titles, Edinger is a three-time academic all-state selection and a two-time all-state honoree.

“Kylie is a very quick middle and she’ll be able to help us speed up our offense,” Schaub said. “We’re really excited to have her as we look to rebuild the program.”

Barney has been part of three consecutive Utah 4A state titles at Snow Canyon High School. As a senior, she has helped the Warriors to a 23-5 overall record. During her tenure with Snow Canyon, the program has posted a 58-13 mark, including only one loss in Region 9 action in the past three seasons.

“Taylar will bring size, speed and experience to our program,” Schaub said. “She also comes from a high school program that has seen nothing but success, and that mentality is what we need for our program at Montana State. Taylar is very versatile, puts up a big block, and can play in the back row, as well.”

Barney, who garnered 4A MVP accolades, was selected for the United States Volleyball Association’s High Performance program to play in Italy in 2005 and 2006.

Lundquist had been a standout in British Columbia provincial play the past four seasons. She was named to the 2008 Senior Girls Volleyball UBC Tournament All-Star squad after leading her team to a fourth place finish. In addition, she was a member of the 2008 Canada Prospects team.

“Jennifer is a very athletic player,” Schaub said. “She is an outside hitter for her high school team and a setter for her club program. Jennifer will come in with a lot of experience and will be able to help us establish a faster offense.”

A two-time Team British Columbia standout, Lundquist also earned MVP honors at the 2007 Senior Girls Fraser Valley Championships. In addition, she was tournament MVP for the 2005 and 2006 Surrey Junior Girls Volleyball Championship squads. Lundquist is a four-time Pacific Academy Female Athlete of the Year.

An outstanding student, Lundquist has earned Pacific Academy Honor Roll and Headmasters recognition the past six consecutive years.

“All three bring a different dynamic to our team,” Schaub said. “Aside from being part of winning programs, they possess the size, speed and experience we need in the Montana State program as we look to the future.”

Soccer

BOZEMAN TRIO NAMED ALL-CONFERENCE: At Spokane, Wash., three Whitworth University men’s soccer players from Bozeman were named to the all-Northwest Conference team over the weekend.

John Prugh, a senior forward, was selected to the first team after scoring seven goals and tying for the team lead with five assists. He started all 20 of Whitworth’s matches this season.

Eddy Prugh, a freshman forward, also scored seven goals and was honored on the second team. Senior defender Ben Rotert made it on the honorable mention team after helping the Pirates hold their opponents to 0.89 goals per games. Rotert also had a goal and two assists.

Whitworth won its second straight Northwest Conference title and fourth in the last five years, before falling to Augsburg last week in a first-round NCAA Division III playoff game. The Pirates finished the season 14-2-4. They were undefeated in their final eight regular season games.

Basketball

MCHS SCRIMMAGES NEXT WEEK: Manhattan Christian will be holding its Maroon & Gold Basketball scrimmages on Nov. 29, beginning at 6 p.m. Parent meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. for boys’ parents and 7 p.m. for girls’ parents. The Athletic Booster Club will also be serving dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m.

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