ISU Defeats Portland State in Five; Wins Sixth Straight

Box Score PDF

POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State volleyball team increased its winning streak to six games Saturday evening, defeating visiting Portland State in five sets, 25-18, 24-26, 25-16, 21-25 and 15-11. The Bengals overcame a four-point deficit early in the fifth to win the set and match and protect their undefeated conference record.

Four Bengals (11-6, 4-0 BSC) recorded double-doubles on the night, with senior outside hitter Tressa Lyman finishing with 15 kills and 14 digs, junior outside hitter Bailey Bars with 10 kills and 19 digs, sophomore outside hitter Chloe Hirst with 15 kills and 11 digs and junior setter Hayley Farrer with 48 assists and 14 digs.

"The one thing we train all the time is that you've got to execute who you are no matter what the situation," Head Coach Rick Reynolds. "You've got to believe in who you are no matter the situation. Down, up, you've got to keep executing."

Idaho State started the match strong, racing out to a five-point lead, 8-3 behind three strong kills from senior middle blocker Makenzie Filer. Portland State (5-11, 1-3 BSC) responded with a 9-4 run to tie up the score at 12 apiece. Despite tying up the match four more times, the Vikings were unable to overtake ISU. The Bengals finished the set on a 9-2 run to win the first set 25-18.

The second set, which featured six ties and four lead changes, was a battle from the beginning. Portland State built a small three point lead, 7-4 following an attacking error from ISU, but the Bengals quickly closed the gap and tied the set 11-all after a monstrous block from Filer and Farrer. The Vikings weren't to be intimidated however, as the Oregon visitors with a 10-3 run that put ISU in a seven-point hole. The Bengals were unable to recover and lost the second 24-26.

After the break, neither team led by more than two points until two straight ISU aces courtesy of Bars gave the Bengals a bit of separation. The Vikings followed with two consecutive errors to put ISU in front 21-15. ISU finished the third set on a 4-1 run to claim the victory, 25-16.

Idaho State started the fourth set in front 5-2, but its lead was short-lived as the Vikings capitalized on six ISU errors to fuel an 8-2 run and gain the advantage, 10-7. PSU extended its lead to as many as eight and kept the Bengals at bay long enough to earn the 25-21 fourth set victory.

Portland State continued its run well into the fifth set and led 7-3 after seven kills from six different Vikings. ISU responded with a 7-2 run to take the lead 10-9 and force a PSU timeout. The Vikings recorded a kill immediately after the timeout to tie the set, but ISU finished on a 5-1 run to win the set 15-11 and match, 3-2.

"Portland State was in system," Reynolds said. "They were tough to defend and they serve-receive very well. They are a very well-coached and very talented team. My hat is off to them; they played very well and I feel fortunate to walk out of that match with a win."

The Bengals head out on the road next week as they travel to Greeley, Colo. to face Northern Colorado Thursday evening at 7 p.m.