Emily Bird signs with MSU-N volleyball

The Montana State University-Northern volleyball team is building toward a new season - a season that's not that far off.

MSU-N head volleyball coach Jerry Wagner has announced the signing of Broadwater High School standout Emily Bird to join the Skylights program next year.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to have Emily Bird sign with the MSU-Northern Skylights volleyball program," coach Wagner said. "The signing of Emily, along with recent signee Macy Uffelman, makes our 2024 recruiting, thus far, a strong, athletic and experienced class. Broadwater High School is a very strong and successful program under the direction of Head Coach Megan Bleile and her assistant coaches one of which is Emily's mother, Jennilee."  

Bird is a 5-foot-4 Setter from Townsend. During her, time at Broadwater, she broke the school's most assists record as a sophomore and just broke it again as a senior with 1,385. Bird also broke the school and state record for most assists in a match with 66. She not only broke those records, but she also broke the school's record for most career assists of 4,498, 458 digs, 20 blocks, 112 kills and 69 aces.

 "Academically, MSU-N lined up very well with Emily's desire to pursue a degree which will prepare her for Veterinary Medicine School in her future," Wagner said. "Recruiting is about getting the correct fit academically and athletically. Both of these areas lined up perfectly for Emily."

During her freshman year, the team took second in districts and appeared at divisionals, as she was selected on to Second Team All-Conference. Sophomore year, her team took second at districts again, and finished third at state. Emily was on Second Team All-Conference, and Second All-State selection that year. Broadwater took first place in districts her junior and senior years. They took third place her junior year at state and finished second place her senior year. Her junior year she was selected onto First Team All-Conference, All-State Selection, and Honorable Mention State All-tournament Team. Bird was selected First Team All-Conference, All-State Selection, First Team State All-Tournament team, Player of the Tear All-Area Team, and was voted team captain her senior year.

 "Emily is a very dynamic athlete with great quickness," Wagner said. "She gives the Skylights three top flight setters in our gym. She is a strong defender and server, which are areas we look at making stronger and staples of strength in our program. Emily is highly respected by her teammates, opposing coaches and players.  Emily, comes highly recommend not only for her ability as a volleyball player but more importantly her leadership qualities, attitude and effort.  Emily is a strong competitor and her competitive nature brings so much to her team.

"Emily's signing strengthens an experienced and veteran team. Her abilities as a setter will help direct whichever offensive system we choose to implement," Wagner added. "Her character, athletic ability and skill are all qualities that I look for in a recruit.  These attributes will allow her to be successful and add to our experienced team efforts to become one of the top teams in the Frontier Conference." 

Bird will not only make a splash on the court, but she gets it done in the classroom. She is a four-year Honor Roll student, and was Academic All-State for four years.

"I chose MSU-N because coach Jerry gave me an incredible opportunity to keep playing this sport I love, that I couldn't pass up," Bird said about why she chose Northern. "When I first visited MSU-N the team and faculty were super welcoming. I also like the smalltown vibes that Havre gives off. The community seems super supportive of the college and its athletic programs. MSU-N also has an incredible ag program which is the direction I want to go."