Idaho State sweeps Idaho to end Vandals’ 4-match winning streak
Idaho’s 12-set winning streak came to an end Saturday night when the Idaho State Bengals swept the Vandals 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-22) in Memorial Gym.
Nathan Romans | Argonaut
Senior middle blocker Stephanie Hagins prepares to spike through two Bengals opponents during Idaho’s 3-0 loss to Idaho State University Saturday at Memorial Gym. The loss drops the Vandals to 7-3 in Big Sky Conference play and 11-11 on the season.
“I thought Idaho State played great from an offensive side and defensive side,” Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan said. “I thought we came out really tight. Not all of our players were on. When you’re competing against one of the top teams in the conference, you have to bring your A-game.”
Idaho came into the match leading the Big Sky North Division while Idaho State led the South Division. The win gave the Bengals (15-8 overall, 9-1 Big Sky) sole possession of first place in the conference, while the Vandals (11-11, 7-3) moved into a three-way tie for first in the North Division with North Dakota and Northern Colorado.
Next up for Idaho is a Thursday match against Montana State in Bozeman, Montana.
“It’s bitter,” senior middle blocker Stephanie Hagins said following the loss. “I hate losing personally and I’m sure everyone does, but at least it was a worthy opponent.”
Senior middle blocker Alyssa Schultz started the match for the Vandals. She was unable to play all three sets due to an ankle injury she suffered Thursday night against Weber State.
Three Idaho State players contributed nine kills each, including Whitney Bartschi-Harrington, who had a .692 hitting percentage.
Idaho State coach Chad Teichert said Harrington has a great work ethic.
“When you work like that, it’s nice to be rewarded with a night like this, when you have nine kills on 13 swings, .692 hitting,” he said.
It was a match of scoring runs. Idaho State used big scoring runs in all three sets to distance itself from Idaho.
Nathan Romans | Argonaut
Sophomore defensive specialist Terra Varney prepares for a dig during Idaho’s 3-0 loss to Idaho State University Saturday at Memorial Gym.
The Bengals led 16-13 in the first set and ended on a 9-0 run to win 25-13. Idaho led 13-9 in the second set, but Idaho State went on an 11-0 run to make the score 20-13. In the third set, the Vandals led 18-15, but Idaho State grabbed the momentum and used a 7-0 run to get ahead 22-18.
“I think that as the match went on, we got better,” junior defensive specialist Jenna Ellis said. “I just think that we weren’t firing on all cylinders tonight. I think that it might have been an off night, but I don’t think that that shows our character and how we normally play. So I think that we can go up from here and we can bounce back.”
The Vandals committed 27 attacking errors while the Bengals had 17. Idaho State also had 12 total team blocks to Idaho’s seven.
“They’re (Idaho) one of those teams right beneath us in the conference standings, so to be able to get a win anywhere is good, but when you get one on the road, it’s really good,” Teichert said. “But when you get one on the road against Idaho, it’s fabulous.”
Garrett Cabeza can be reached at [email protected]