In a high-intensity four-set match, the University of Idaho volleyball team lost to the Eastern Washington Eagles, a team whom they had previously beaten just a few weeks prior in Cheney. Each of the four sets was highly competitive, pushing two of them into extra points, with the Vandals notably winning the second set narrowly at 29-27.
Throughout the game, both teams displayed great offensive and defensive positions on the court, with team statistics nearly tying in every category by the end of the game.
The first set started back and forth but strong, with both teams putting down five kills in the first 20 points. On each side, only a few points were gained and lost through every rally, with neither pulling ahead by more than three points until the score tied at 13-13.
The Eagles took a five-point run, and soon the score read 18-13, the Vandals’ energy dropping and their game on the court slowing down into a rut. Nevertheless, the Vandals played through the rest of the set while Aspyn Reed for the Eagles scored a kill to end it 25-22.
The second set initially began similarly to the first, though this time the Eagles took a four-point run much sooner, with early scores sitting at 11-7 as the Vandals trailed behind.
Scores then continued to go back and forth through the middle of the set, with Idaho managing to score three straight points and, soon after, the Eagles tallying four consecutive errors to truly put the Vandals back in the game and flip the lead to 18-17 for the Vandals, finally taking a lead in the second.
Scores continued to move back and forth, meeting at 24-23, set point for the Vandals, but Eastern Washington refused to be put out of the game.
Eventually, both teams pushed the score to an end at 29-27 after two consecutive kills for the Vandals, one by Idaho’s libero Keira Kleidon and one by Sarah Sullivan. The Vandals took it home with 18 kills recorded by the end of the set, numbers that the Vandals haven’t seen since the beginning of the season.
Going 1-1 into set three, each team was fired up and ready to take the next set. The close competition between the teams was clearly evident on the court, as they continuously exchanged points at every rally.
The Eagles took a slight lead, but Idaho kept the deficit small, playing with vigor and keeping up with Eastern at all areas on the court. The Vandals nearly won set three, making it to 24-23, similar to set two, but the Eagles’ determination couldn’t be stopped, scoring kills to end the third 27-25.
The close competition slowed down going into the final set, with Vandal errors—and a lack of Eagle errors—contributing to the downfall. Points were still exchanged back and forth.
In fact, the Vandals’ efficiency in kills rose from the previous set, outplaying their opponents 16 to 11 in kills by the close. Still, it wasn’t enough, with the Vandals narrowly losing the set 25-21 and falling to an opponent they had previously managed to beat.
It’s clear that the level of play between these two teams is well matched, as seen throughout the high-intensity, back-and-forth game.
The game leader at the net was Idaho’s powerhouse outside hitter Kiana Greer, followed shortly by Eastern’s Aspyn Reed, who scored 16 throughout the game. For each team, Idaho’s Anika Hudson and Eastern’s Sidney Gray tied in blocks, each putting up six, showing great defense for each team on both sides of the net.
Eastern just barely outperformed Idaho, leading by two points, one ace and three blocks. In contrast, the Vandals beat Washington by two kills and four assists, though the teams tied at 65 digs apiece.
Across the court, each team put up phenomenal performances, keeping fans on their toes while watching the battle between the two teams despite Idaho’s loss at the end of it.
Previously, Idaho had beaten Portland State, Eastern Washington and Southern Utah. The second time around, Portland flipped the narrative to beat Idaho 3-0, with Eastern Washington now having trailed close behind to beat Idaho, too.
The Vandals will not get the chance to replay Southern Utah University before the Big Sky Conference Tournament in two weeks. The outlook for the rest of the season isn’t the most promising for the Vandals, as they will be replaying three teams that the Vandals took 3-0 losses to earlier in the year.
Next week, the Vandals play both the University of Montana and Montana State at home in Memorial Gym. The Montana State game is notable for its senior night presentations, honoring senior members of the Idaho volleyball program.