The Idaho Vandal volleyball team came home this week to play against Northern Arizona, resulting in another loss against the Lumberjacks.
In the opening set, NAU had a strong start and created the momentum that was hard for Idaho to stop. The Vandals had a 0.00 hit percentage while the Lumberjacks came out swinging with eight kills and a 0.167 hit percentage. Idaho had an early lead of 8-7 before NAU went on a run and won the set 25-16.
The second set, Idaho rallied back and had 12 kills versus the Lumberjacks’ six. The Vandals found ways to score despite having a low hit percentage and converted. Idaho had a demanding lead for the full set and won 25-21.
Set three was a close battle back and forth. Both teams had a similar performance, and it was tied at 22 after so many lead changes. Both teams had 13 kills and Idaho had a hit percentage of 0.086, while NAU had a hit percentage of 0.176. Although the set was close, the Lumberjacks came out on top, 25-23.
Set four, the Vandals worked through pressure and had an eight-point run to lead the Lumberjacks 19-13. The vandals had 13 kills while the Lumberjacks had 10. Both teams had a similar hit percentage. The tension was high with a lot of calls challenged by both teams. The Vandals’ scoring run gave them the fuel they needed to take the set 25-23, despite NAU closing the gap at the end.
In set five, Idaho had the momentum and had a strong start leading 7-4. Although they played well in the beginning, NAU had a strong 12 kills on top of a 0.250 hitting percentage, which was very efficient. At the end of the set, NAU had their 15th point taken away after a challenge, and Idaho had another chance to win the game, but the Vandals fell short and the Lumberjacks still took the win 15-12.
Cayton White had an amazing game with 17 kills and really helped the team’s consistency. Chiara Gennari also had a strong offensive game with 10 kills. On the defensive side, Kyriah Trefren had 12 digs.
Idaho had a tough week at home with both games going to five sets and putting up strong numbers but falling short of wins. The Vandals showed themselves they can hang with strong competition after facing the two best teams in the Big Sky. Idaho will travel to Sacramento, California, to play Sacramento State on Oct. 23. and then to Portland State on Oct. 25. for the next slate of games.
Timmon Friel can be reached at [email protected]