Nov. 8, 2002
Box Score
Pocatello, ID---The Idaho State Bengals started slow and never fully recovered as they fell to 15th-ranked Eastern Washington, 30-13, 30-10, 30-32, 30-13, in Big Sky Conference women's volleyball action Friday night at Reed Gymnasium.
Eastern Washington came out on fire in games one and two, hitting .500 in the first game and .300 in the second game. ISU in contrast had a negative attack percentage in both games.
But the Bengals regrouped during the intermission and turned things around in the third game. The Bengals never led until late in the game and behind the hitting of Kylie Gilmore and Ali Gorny the held on and won the third game, 32-30.
But the Eagles came out in game four and dominated from the start, rolling to a match-clinching 30-13 win.
"After playing very poorly in the first two games, we did an amazing job of regrouping in the third game," ISU Head Coach Mike Welch said. "We played aggressively in that game and had a lot of success because of it. We won every long rally in that game. Tonight we showed some great character, we just didn't perform well."
Ali Gorny and Kylie Gilmore led the way for the Bengals with 11 kills each. Gorny posted her eighth double-double of the season with 11 digs. Amanda Meixel also had a double-double with 30 assists and 13 digs.
Eastern Washington was led by Janelle Ruen, who had 22 kills and 14 digs. As a team the Eagles hit a strong .324 for the match.
ISU (9-15 overall, 3-9 Big Sky) will return to action with a pivotal Big Sky match on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Reed Gym against Portland State. If the Bengals defeat Portland State in three games they will clinch a berth in the conference tournament. Eastern Washington improved to 25-1 overall and 10-1 in Big Sky play. They will take on Weber State Saturday in Ogden.
