Oct. 31, 2009
Final Stats
Northern Arizona Box Score 
Pocatello, ID--Idaho State captured its first home conference victory with a 3-1 (25-20, 25-19, 20-25, 25-16) decision over Northern Arizona on Halloween at Reed Gym. The Bengals improved to a 10-14 overall record and a 4-8 Big Sky record to hold seventh place in the standings. Northern Arizona fell to 7-13 for the season and 4-7 in the conference for sixth place in the rankings.
Senior Emily Waldron had an outstanding night as she posted a match high 20 kills, her second straight 20-plus kill match performance. She also led the Bengals with four block assists and posted the match high service aces with four. Waldron posted a career-high 20 digs for her double-double performance.
"She's quick. She can get to a lot of difficult balls that other players struggle with," said head coach Chad Teichert of Waldron's effort in the back row.
Four Bengals posted double figures in kills with Sarah Carson and Haylee Thompson each recorded 13, a season high for Carson. Britta Bartschi-Rhodehouse recorded 12 kills and hit a .423 attack percentage with one error from 26 attempts.
The Bengals turned around their service game as they hit eight aces and only three errors. The previous night Idaho State recorded seven aces and 14 errors.
"I sure wish we would have served like that last night, I can't imagine how we wouldn't have won," said Teichert of ISU's quick clean up of its service game. "I think our service game was a positive factor tonight as opposed to a negative factor the other night."
Idaho State came out quick taking control of the first and second sets quickly. After the break Northern Arizona jumped out to an early lead with an 8-1 run that was too much for the Bengals to recover as NAU hit a .415 attack percentage in the set, its best effort. The fourth set was a different story as Idaho State went on a 14-4 run where the Bengals had a 13-4 lead. The Bengals had a .349 hitting percentage in the fourth set and out hit the Lumberjacks for the match with a .257 attack percentage.
"It's really hard to know what motivates human beings, but I thought they did have some spark. They served far better. You know, we hit the ball better too."
Libero Paige Palmer continues to perform well as she posted a season-high 26 digs, one shy of matching her career high. Palmer was honored with yesterday's game ball before the match as she reached 1,000-career digs against Northern Colorado. Tonight Palmer recorded her 19th consecutive double-figure dig match and posting her eighth 20-plus dig match of the season.
The Bengals will hit the road for the final time in the regular season as they play at Sacramento State on November 7 at 8 p.m. on Colberg Court.
Note: Northern Arizona out-blocked Idaho State 10-to-7 ... Northern Arizona recorded two service aces and matched the Bengals in service errors with three.
