Sept. 11, 2002
Box Score
SALT LAKE CITY - Idaho State gave eighth ranked Utah a run for its money, but the Utes held off the Bengals for a 30-22, 30-26, 30-23, win in women's collegiate volleyball action Wednesday night at Crimson Court.
Game one was nip-and-tuck for most of the way until a four-point run by Utah that gave the Utes a seven-point advantage. The Bengals were unable to cut the lead to less than five points the rest of the way and lost the game 30-22.
The Bengals gave the Utes all they could handle in game two, leading early and forcing a total of eight ties. Ali Gorny helped key a three-point run late in the game, cutting the Ute lead to two at 27-25. But Utah won three of the last four points to win the game, 30-26 and take a 2-0 lead.
After four early ties the Utes expanded the lead to as much as eight points. Melanie Tucker led the Bengals on a 4-0 run to cut the lead to just 22-18, but Utah outscored the Bengals 8-5 down the stretch to win the game, and the match, 30-23.
Gorny led the Bengals offensively with 10 kills. Felice Yocopis added six kills, three assists, four digs and three blocks. Tucker and Kylie Gilmore each had 10 digs to lead the way for the Bengals.
Sylva Strzinkova led the way for the Utes with 15 kills and a .400 attack percentage. Kim Turner was the only other Ute in double figures in kills with 10.
With the loss ISU falls to 2-5 on the season, while Utah improves to 6-1. The Bengals will head east to participate in the Columbia University Tournament on Friday and Saturday in New York City, New York. ISU will face Wagner and Rider on the opening day of competition, then follow that up with matches against Manhattan and host Columbia on Saturday.
