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POCATELLO, Idaho - The Bengals had six match points in the third set before finishing off Utah Valley 33-31 for the sweep (25-20, 25-23, 33-31) at Reed Gym Saturday afternoon. Utah Valley had two set points in the third after taking an early 13-10 lead.
"Our biggest thing all season has been not coming out strong in the third set as we usually are and we said we weren't going to do that today. In the beginning it was slow but then we stepped up our level and really competed from that point on," said
Breanne Van Every.
Senior middle blocker
Vanessa Muir sparked the Bengals' come back with two blocks and a kill over five points to put the Bengals up 15-13. Muir would step into the competition at key moments as well tying the contest at 23 with a kill, posting a block with setter Lori Mendenhall to give ISU a 27-26 lead and a kill to give ISU its final match-point at 32-31.
"It was awesome," said Muir of the third set battle. "We worked really hard. We knew we couldn't let all that work go to waste and I think we all took it upon ourselves to really step-up and finish the match."
Muir had five kills from eight swings with just one error for a .500 attack percentage in the third set coupled by four blocks. Van Every, a junior outside hitter, led the Bengals with six kills in the third set alone. She also notched a match-high 15 kills from 35 attempts and just one error for a .400 attack percentage for the contest.
Three Bengals notched double-doubles. Van Every chipped in 11 digs to her 15 kills. Mendenhall, a sophomore, placed the six double-double in the last seven matches with 38 assists and 11 digs. Redshirt freshman
Danielle Downs had 11 kills and 10 digs.
Redshirt freshman libero Kylee Searle was seen diving all over the court for her match-high 21 digs. Muir collected eight digs and had a game-high seven blocks including two solo efforts. She had four blocks in the third set alone.
"I think both sides were playing really good defense," said Van Every of the back and forth battle at the end of the third set. "I think it was a matter of being mentally tough and sticking in there and get the ball to stay aggressive."
Idaho State out-blocked the Wolverines 12-to-6, for the best three set blocking effort of the season. The Bengals notched their season-high 13.5 blocks in a four set victory over Wyoming.
"I thought it was a fun game. I enjoyed playing it and I enjoyed being with my teammates. They covered me great. I only had one error thanks to their great coverage and I thought it was a blast," said Van Every.
The Bengals are on a two-match winning streak having swept their first pair of matches at home. Idaho State has won six of their last seven matches having only fallen in a close five set match at Eastern Washington. Reed Gym is continuing to be a tough place for opponents as Idaho State is 10-2 on their home court since last year. The Bengals are on a four match home winning streak dating back to last season.
Idaho State continues it home stand with its third of five straight competitions at Reed Gym when the Bengals host Sacramento State on Friday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.
PROMOTION FOR FREE ADMISSION TO IDAHO STATE VOLLEYBALL
Bengal fans can get into the ISU volleyball match against Sacramento State on Friday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. for free if they show their ticket from the ISU soccer game against Weber State at Davis Field at 4 p.m. from earlier that day. Fans can get a free "White Out Weber" T-shirt at the ISU soccer game on Friday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. against Weber State if they bring the "Fall Fever Sick Note" found in the Idaho State Journal the same day.
"We Are Your Bengals"
