After a tough loss against Portland State last Saturday, a team the Vandals had previously defeated, the University of Idaho volleyball team returned home to face the Northern Colorado Bears. The Vandals previously fell to Northern Colorado 3-1 earlier in the season, despite several strong individual performances. The Bears entered the matchup riding a two-game winning streak after defeating Idaho State University, which is ranked second in the conference.
The loss marked Idaho’s third consecutive defeat, while Northern Colorado extended its winning streak to three matches.
The first set started promisingly for Idaho as the Vandals stepped onto the court ready to face Northern Colorado. They recorded multiple kills early, notably from Kiana Greer and Gabrielle Smith. As the set progressed, Idaho built a 20-13 lead over the Bears. However, similar to several previous matches, the Vandals began to slip as Northern Colorado scored 10 points through kills and Idaho errors, cutting the deficit to 23-21.
The Bears capitalized on Idaho’s struggles and closed out the set 25-23 on a Vandal attack error. What initially appeared to be a promising start for Idaho quickly turned into an unfortunate opening set.
The second set was less promising for the Vandals. Although Idaho held an early lead, Northern Colorado tied the score at 7-7 and took control for the remainder of the set. The Vandals struggled to find their rhythm and committed seven errors, compared to just three for the Bears. Northern Colorado continued to build its advantage, eventually taking the set 25-14 and moving within one set of completing the sweep.
Down 2-0, Idaho showed signs of improvement in the third set, but its efforts were not enough to extend the match. Unlike the previous two sets, the Vandals struggled early before finding success in the latter half. Idaho began to pick up the pace at 12-6, gradually narrowing the gap to three points at 16-13 and eventually two at 18-16.
Northern Colorado maintained its lead throughout the set, but Idaho’s comeback efforts brought the Vandals within one point at 22-21. Despite the late push, the Bears maintained control, recording 17 kills compared to Idaho’s eight in the third set. Northern Colorado closed out the match 25-23 on a kill by Riley Taylor, completing the three-set sweep.
The Vandals showed resilience throughout the match, particularly in the third set as they attempted to overcome the deficit. However, Idaho’s inability to capitalize on early leads and maintain consistent play contributed to the loss. Northern Colorado, meanwhile, remained composed despite facing a seven-point deficit in the opening set, demonstrating its ability to perform under pressure.
Both teams had notable individual performances. Northern Colorado’s Alayna Tessena led the Bears with 12 kills, while Idaho’s Kiana Greer recorded 11. Tessena also led the match in blocks with four, followed by Summer Snead with three. Snead tied Idaho’s Anika Hudson in blocks as both teams looked to establish themselves defensively at the net.
In the back row, Bella LePore led the match with 16 digs, compared to Greer’s 13 for Idaho. The difference between the teams’ setters was also notable, with Northern Colorado’s Nerea Alvarez-Jorge recording 22 assists and Idaho’s Csenge Krakoczki finishing with 16.
Despite strong individual performances from both sides, Northern Colorado controlled much of the match, handing Idaho another loss while extending its own winning streak.
The Vandals will look to get back on track against the Eastern Washington Eagles, a team Idaho previously defeated in four sets. After dropping three consecutive matches, Idaho will look to regain its momentum and find consistency on the court as it continues conference play.