Box Score PDF
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Idaho State volleyball team dropped a 3-2 decision at Milwaukee Friday evening as part of the Pepsi Panther Invitational at the Klotsche Center in Milwaukee, Wis.
The Bengals were led by junior outside hitter
Abby Garrity with a match-high 19 kills to go along with 13 digs. Senior outside hitter
Chloe Hirst also recorded a double-double with 17 kills and 11 digs.
Idaho State (0-2) struggled to get into a rhythm in the first set while Milwaukee (2-0) exploded to hit .526 for 11 kills off 19 attempts with just one error. Garrity battled for the Bengals, finishing the first set with five of ISU's six kills while hitting .500, but ISU suffered four receiving errors to fuel UWM's run. Milwaukee cruised to the 25-14 first set win and the 1-0 match lead.
The Bengals responded in the second set, racing out to an 11-4 lead to force a Milwaukee timeout. Idaho State picked up its hitting in the second, finishing with 16 kills at a .316 clip, and it was attacking from all sides as six different Bengals finished with at least one kill in the second set. ISU kept the Panthers at a distance and cruised to the 25-20 second set win.
In the third set, Milwaukee took the early lead and never trailed, holding off a late ISU run to take the set 25-21. In the fourth set, ISU had the early advantage but a run from UWM left the set tied 9-all. The Bengals put together a 7-3 run to take the 16-12 lead, and they would never trail. The Bengals forced a fifth set with the 25-20 fourth-set win.
In the fifth set, Idaho State struggled to force a sideout as the Panthers put together a 9-2 run to open the set. Two UWM errors and a kill from Garrity brought ISu to within four, 11-7, but Milwaukee rattled off four-straight points to close the set 15-7 and take the match, 3-2.
Milwaukee finished with three players in double-digit kills led by Jess Kalous, while four players finished with double-digit digs led by Mykie Olsen with a match-high 19.
"We played two really good opponents to start the season and you can see the girls battling," Head Coach
Rick Reynolds said. "This team is playing with energy and effort, and our rhythm is coming offensively as we try and get our middles more involved. I'm looking forward to seeing us pick up our defense tomorrow."
Idaho State continues play Saturday, Aug. 26 against South Dakota State in its final match of the Pepsi Panther Invitational, hosted by UWM in Milwaukee, Wis.
