Bengals Bust the T-Birds; Sweep Southern Utah for Ninth Straight Victory

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CEDAR CITY, Utah – The Idaho State volleyball team cruised to a 3-0 sweep at Southern Utah Thursday evening, winning 25-22, 25-21 and 25-16 on the way to its ninth straight and remain undefeated in Big Sky Conference play. Idaho State (15-6, 7-0) improves to 7-0 in its conference start in program history. Southern Utah fell to 12-8 overall with a 3-4 mark in conference play.

The Bengals were led by senior outside hitter Tressa Lyman with her 23rd-straight double-figure kill effort with 14 kills to go along with six digs and four blocks. Junior outside hitter Bailey Bars and sophomore outside hitter Chloe Hirst also registered double-digit kills with 10 apiece.

"I felt our pin hitters played really well tonight," Head Coach Rick Reynolds said. "Southern Utah has a strong block. We were able to find ways as the match went on to get through and open up some seams."

ISU started the first set with an ace from senior libero Kaitlyn Johnson but fell behind 4-2 following a 4-0 run from the Thunderbirds. ISU responded and tied the match up five-all following a kill from junior setter Hayley Farrer. The match featured eight ties and two lead changes, but the Bengals were able to pull away from SUU and build a four-point lead 20-16. The Thunderbirds cut the lead to one three separate times in the final plays of the match, but ISU held on to win the first 25-22.

In the second match, the Bengals claimed the first point following a kill from Hirst. Idaho State raced to a 6-2 lead and forced Southern Utah to call a timeout. ISU kept the lead throughout and never allowed the Thunderbirds within striking distance. The Bengals commanded the second set win, 25-21.

The third set started much like the second as the Bengals raced out to a 5-1 lead and forced a Southern Utah timeout. SUU was able to sneak within three points, 9-12, but ISU took advantage of SUU's seven hitting errors and .028 hitting percentage to forge ahead to an eight-point lead, 18-11. The Bengals were firing on all cylinders and finished the third set with five total kills, four straight, from Lyman, Bars and junior middle blocker Sommer Reeder. The Bengals claimed the third set 25-16 and the match, 3-0.

"Southern Utah is a very well-coached team and put the pressure on us early," Reynolds said. "I am proud of the adjustments the team made and their ability to work for each other."

Idaho State continues play on the road Saturday, Oct. 17 as the Bengals head to Flagstaff, Ariz. to face Northern Arizona in a battle of the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the Big Sky Conference South Division. The match is scheduled for 4 p.m. MDT.