Bounce Back Bengals, Volleyball Wins Matchup of Big Sky's Best

By Matt Gittins, ISU Sports Information

POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State volleyball team responded from their worst set of the season to bounce back and knock off Northern Arizona 3-1 (14-25, 25-14, 30-28 and 25-23) Saturday night at Reed Gym.

In a matchup of the top two records in the Big Sky it was NAU who opened strong, holding the Bengals to their lowest attack percentage of the season (-.176) in the first set. It was just the fourth time ISU has lost an opening set on the season (16-4).

"We didn't come out mentally ready," setter Hayley Farrer said. "They are a fantastic team and we had to change some things and come back together."

The Bengals responded by posting one of their best sets of 2014, reversing the 25-14 score by hitting .485. It's the third highest attack percentage in a set this season.

"I think it shows some emotional and competitive maturity to come back like that," Head Coach Chad Teichert said.

With the teams level at one set a piece the pendulum continued to swing towards ISU. Coach Teichert's team fought off two set-points in route to the 30-28 set three victory, thrilling the crowd of 680 (second highest of the season).

Idaho State would go on to close out the match with a 25-23 victory in set four.

 "I think it shows that number one we know we can beat them (NAU)," Teichert said. "They are a really good opponent. Number two we have to have the right mindset to begin the match."

"We know what we are capable of," Farrer said. "It's nice to show what we can do in front of our fans and families."

Farrer collected a career-high 51 assists in the victory. She also added 10 kills to complete the double-double.

Tressa Lyman finished with her third double-double in the last four matches totaling a season-high 25 kills; just one shy of her career-high and 13 digs.  Kylee Sessions posted a season-high 24 digs.

Idaho State (7-1, 13-8) now owns the best record in the Big Sky Conference with eight matches left in the regular season.

"They are doing a good job," Teichert said. "To be 7-1 over halfway through the conference season is a really good posistion."