Oct. 25, 2003
Stats
Pocatello, ID--Martha Brinton had her second career triple-double, while Ali Gorny added 23 kills as Idaho State won its second straight match, a 30-26, 27-30, 30-22, 30-24, victory over the University of Montana in Big Sky Conference volleyball action Saturday night at Reed Gymnasium.
Brinton, a junior from Salt Lake City, UT, had 52 assists, 18 digs and 10 kills to get her second triple-double. Her previous triple-double came against St. Peter's on September 5 of this season. Gorny continued her torrid pace as she topped 20 kills for the second straight match and eighth time this season. The conference's leader in kills, Gorny is now averaging 4.49 per game this season, which is on pace to shatter the ISU school record.
ISU only trailed once in winning game one 30-26. But trouble started for the Bengals in game two. ISU led by an 18-14 score and still led 24-23 late in the game. But the Grizzlies had seven straight kills - against zero errors - and rallied to take game two, 30-27.
"Game two we looked tired and down," ISU Head Coach Mike Welch said. "We were a step behind the whole game. Montana really used their confidence from game two and used that in game three. Montana came out and played tough."
Montana continued to stun the Bengals in the first half of game three, taking an 18-14 lead. ISU called a time out after Lizzie Wertz gave UM the big lead. Then things started to change. Gorny had six kills over the next 20 points and the Bengals outscored the Grizzlies 16-4 to win game three, 30-22. In game four ISU only trailed once - at 1-0 - and won 30-24 to wrap up the match.
"The second half of game three was the best we played all night," Welch added. "We were finally able to push through the fatigue. Last night's match was very draining, both emotionally and physically. Ali struggled early on, then she really picked it up half way through the third game."
Another bright spot for the Bengals was junior middle blocker Kamie Olsen, who recorded her first double-double with 12 kills and 10 blocks against the Grizzlies. Jennie James had 12 kills, while Heather Gilmore just missed a double-double with nine kills and 16 digs. Felice Yocopis had seven kills, six assists, 11 digs and three blocks.
Lizzie Wertz led the way for Montana with 20 kills. Audrey Jensen and Whitney Pavlik each had 11 kills for the Grizzlies.
ISU improves to 16-6 overall and 6-3 in Big Sky Conference play and maintains their one-game advantage on Montana State with the win. Montana falls to 6-15, 1-8 with the loss. The Bengals will hit the road this week, traveling to Portland State on Friday at 8:00 p.m. and conference leader Eastern Washington on Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
