This past weekend on Nov. 8, the Idaho Vandals volleyball team took on in-state rival, the Idaho State Bengals. The Vandals put up a strong fight but the Bengals won the match 3-1.
In the first set, Idaho came out swinging and had a strong hit percentage of 0.364. Both teams had 14 kills in the set, and Idaho took a big lead at the end of the set with a four-point run and won 25-21.
In set two, the Bengals made a comeback and had a strong hit percentage of 0.364. Both teams were going back and forth through the set, and there were multiple lead changes. In the end, Idaho state scored four straight and won the set 25-20.
Beginning set three, Idaho State scored five points in a row and were up 5-3. Idaho responded to the momentum and tied it back up at 17. Both teams struggled offensively in this set with both having below a 0.100 hitting percentage and Idaho had 14 errors which hurt them. Idaho State took this set after a close ending, 25-22.
In the final set, Idaho State kept the ball rolling with 16 kills and a 0.273 hitting percentage. Idaho couldn’t respond and only had eight kills with just a zero hitting percentage. The Vandals went on a strong run at the end to take the lead 21-20. Right after, the Bengals went on a five-point run ending the set 25-21 and winning the match.
Some star players from this match included freshman Kiana Greer who had 18 kills and 13 digs. Junior Sarah Sullivan also had a good match with 13 kills. Although both players had such a great game,it wasn’t enough to top the Bengals, since they had three players score over 10 kills.
The Vandals are now down to just four games left this season and will go on for their final away slate of games this next week against Montana and Montana State.
The Vandals will travel to Missoula, Montana and face the Grizzlies on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m. The Vandals will hope to secure a few more wins before they conclude their season.
Timmon Friel can be reached at [email protected]