Career Resume
In just two seasons, Watson made her way into MSUB’s record books with the fifth-most and seventh-most kills in a single season with 443 in 2006 and 414 in 2005. She also stands as No. 8 in career service aces (84), and No. 10 in career kills (857).
Watson is the eighth women’s volleyball player to be inducted into MSUB’s Hall of Fame.
Feature Story: Watson's Switch to Volleyball a Blessing for MSUB (By: Joe Kusek/Billings Gazette, 11/8/2006) - Original Publication
Pity the poor volleyball. And the players on the other side should be thankful.
Ali Watson grew up playing ringette, a hockey-like game in Canada for girls.
"They cut the blades off the hockey sticks and you use a rubber ring," said Watson, who is from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. "It's the same concept as hockey on the ice.
"I miss the contact."
Channeling aggression
So Watson found another way to channel her aggression. "I can take my anger out on the volleyball," she said with a good laugh.
And if it was allowed, Watson wouldn't mind laying a good cross-check into an opposing player once in a while. "But there is that darn net separating us," she finished with another chuckle and smile.
Hockey competitiveness wrapped in a volleyball player's body, Watson's arrival has coincided with the two best seasons in the history of Montana State-Billings volleyball.
The explosive 5-11 outside hitter has helped the Yellowjackets play for two consecutive Heartland Conference titles - they won last weekend - and reached the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time.
MSUB is a combined 45-12 the past two years since Watson came to the campus from Sheridan College in Wyoming.
"I felt like she was the missing piece we needed," said Pa'ulasi Matavao, the MSU-B head coach, who recruited Watson heavily. "What I found out when Ali got here was she is a very, very competitive for such a nice person."
In just two seasons, Watson ranks among the top 10 for career kills, digs and attack percentage. Her 4.09 kills per game average is best in MSU-B history, while her 3.8 digs per game average ranks third all-time.
Season MVP
She was selected the Heartland Conference MVP for this season.
"When I got the award, that was a little shock," Watson said.
Watson gave up her ringette career when entering high school. "I had to choose a sport and I chose volleyball," she said. Watson also played field hockey and competed in track and field.
"It's just a really reactive game," she added of her chosen sport. "It's such a mental game. It's all about momentum, so many ups and downs. There are so many changes. I just love the sport."
Watson's club team won the Canadian U18 national championship. She signed with Sheridan.
"Nothing," Watson said about her knowledge of Wyoming. "All I knew it was a Cowboy State and I knew it had lots of cowboys. I thought it would be a good experience."
At Sheridan, she was a two-time all-conference selection. Watson was the conference player of the year and earned All-America honors as a sophomore and set the single-season kills record for the Lady Generals.
Along with being recruited by MSU-Billings, she considered Eastern New Mexico and Minnesota State-Moorhead. She also had contacts from Gonzaga and Louisiana-Lafayette.
"It was hard," Watson said of declining the Division I offers. "But I didn't want to get caught up in that label of playing for a Division I team.
"When I came to Billings, I walked in and the players were warming up. I felt comfortable here right away. It wasn't like that at other places.
"As soon as I left, but I didn't tell coach, but I knew I was going to play here."
Watson, stepping right into the starting lineup, was first-team all-Heartland Conference last season, helping MSU-B to a 20-8 record. The Yellowjackets played in the HLC tournament title match, but lost to Western New Mexico in four games.
"I try to be a vocal leader. But if not, I try to lead by example," said Watson. "I want to get that kill if we're down.
"I'm not going to lie to you, when it's at 29, I yell for the ball. It's great if somebody else gets the winning point, but I want the ball."
With Watson coming up with numerous double-doubles - kills and digs - MSU-B rolled through the Heartland with a perfect 10-0 record and is 25-4 overall. The Yellowjackets will play Western New Mexico today in the first round of the Southwest Region tournament.
"Ali jumps really well and plus, she's a really good defender," said Matavao, who is not afraid to move Watson around in the lineup to defend the opposing team's best hitter. "I recruited her after the first time I saw her play."
Watson blames her father Bob for her competitiveness. Bob Watson played hockey in Canada and Watson's older brother Greg was a second-round draft choice of the Florida Panthers in 2000. He is currently playing for the Pensacola, Fla., Ice Pirates of the East Coast Hockey League.
Playing along the front row with fellow Canadian Alicia Cazemier has helped Watson satisfy her hockey jones.
"I'm a big Calgary Flames fan and she loves the Edmonton Oilers," said Watson. "We bonded instantly.
"Our whole team is friends, on and off the court. And I love that."
Watson is pursuing a double major in education and special education and wouldn't mind playing volleyball overseas. "If it would work out, I would love that," she said.
"You know, I still miss playing ringette. So now I fire up and hit the ball harder."
