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POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State (11-10, 5-5 BSC) rallied back after falling in the first two sets to send the match to the fifth set tiebreaker before the Bengals were overcome 25-17, 25-13, 22-25, 19-25, 15-9 by Portland State (11-11, 7-3 BSC) at Reed Gym Saturday night. The match lasted two hours and three minutes having 21 tied scores and eight lead changes.
Junior outside hitter
Breanne Van Every recorded a double-double with a match-high 20 kills and 11 digs. Lori Mendenhall, a sophomore setter, was one dig shy of a double-double after notching 43 assists.
The Bengals came out sluggish in the first two sets dropping them quickly before finding their momentum in the third set. Mendenhall and Whitney Bartschi teamed up to record back-to-back blocks to pull ISU ahead 23-21 giving the Bengals the push they needed to finish the set 25-22.
"We realized that we're a good team and that's how we can play," said Alydia Fields of the Bengals third and fourth set push. "We just need to lock down the consistency part, we lacked confidence."
ISU found some of its momentum from junior transfer
Mckenzie Garrett who had four digs, a serivce ace and an attack.
"We were all super happy for her," said Muir of Garrett. "She doesn't get in much, but when she came in today she totally stepped up. For sure she helped us get back in it."
In the fourth set, Idaho State a 21-19 lead before notcing four kills, all by different players, to close out the set. With the match on the line, ISU lost its momentum as the VIkings held a 9-4 lead. The Bengals made a push with two strong kills by
Vanessa Muir and
Danielle Downs before Portland State took the win 15-9.
Muir, a senior blocker had 11 kills on the night while hitting a .321 attack percentage. Freshman Fields chipped in 10 kills. Libero Kylee Searle, a redshirt freshman, notched 18 digs for the Bengals. Muir, Mendenhall and Bartschi all had four block asssits.
The Bengals hit the road in their next match against Weber State on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. in Ogden.
"Everybody has to be in it and we have really good team chemistry. We just need to use that going into our next few matches," said Muir.
"We Are Your Bengals"
