Women's Volleyball | 8/30/2017 1:36:00 PM
Game Notes | Live Stats vs. Middle Tennessee | Live Stats vs. Belmont | Live Video vs. Belmont | Live Stats vs. UTA
POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State volleyball team heads east to Music City for the Bruise Showcase, hosted by Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. The Bengals will face Middle Tennessee, Belmont and UT-Arlington in their second tournament of the 2017 season.
BENGAL PREVIEW
In ISU's first tournament of the 2017, the Bengals went 1-2, forcing five sets in both losses against Virginia Tech and Milwaukee.
Chloe Hirst led ISU with 50 kills for 3.57 kills per set with 2.07 digs per set; for her efforts, Hirst was named to the all-tournament team. Freshman
Taylor Meeks shined in her debut, hitting .462 for the weekend and finishing with a team-high 13 blocks through three matches.
SCOUTING OPPONENTS
Middle Tennessee
· The Blue Raiders return five letter winners, all starters, from last season's squad that finished 5-24 overall with a 2-12 Conference USA record, good for 12th.
· So far this season, MT is 0-4 on the season and has yet to win a set. Rega Coughlin leads the Blue Raiders with 30 total kills for a 2.50 per set average hitting .103, while Brie Tankesley leads the defensive effort with 35 total digs, good for 2.92 per set.
· The Blue Raiders are led by Head Coach Chuck Crawford who is in his first season.
· This is the first time in program history that Idaho State has faced Middle Tennessee.
Belmont
· The Bruins return nine letter winners and all six starters from last season's squad that finished 16-12 overall with a 10-6 record in the Ohio Valley Conference, good for fourth. This season, Belmont started 3-0 on the season before falling to Wichita State.
· Arianna Person leads the offensive attack, averaging 4.00 kills/set while hitting .270. Alexa Nichols is big for Belmont at the net, averaging 1.20 blocks/set while Ellie Ivancich averages 3.13 digs per set.
· Belmont is led by Head Coach Tony Howell who is in his fourth season.
· This is the first time in program history that the Bengals and Bruins have played.
UT-Arlington
· The Mavericks are 3-0 on the season with wins against Southern, McNeese State and Houston.
· UTA is led by Zhanelle Geathers who averages 4.00 kills per set hitting at a .280 clip. Qiana Canete is close behind at 3.45 kills/set. Madelyn St. Germain leads the defensive effort with 3.64 digs per set.
· The Mavericks are led by Head Coach J.T. Wenger who is in his first season with the program.
· This is the fourth time in program history that ISU has faced UTA, and it's the first time the programs have met since 2001. The Mavericks hold a 3-0 advantage in the series, winning 2-0 on Sept. 23, 1982, 3-0 on Sept. 18 1987 and 3-1 on Sept. 7, 2001.
BENGAL BITES
BATTLE TO THE END: In its first two matches, Idaho State forced five sets, first against Virginia Tech and again against an experienced Milwaukee team. The Bengals rebounded from sub-par sets to force a fifth, but their opponent ultimately outlasted ISU for the win.
MEEKS STRONG IN DEBUT: Freshman middle blocker
Taylor Meeks was solid in her freshman debut as she led the Bengals hitting .462 for the weekend for 24 kills. She was also a force defensively, leading ISU once more with 13 total blocks for a 0.93 per set average.
FOLLOW THE ACTION LIVE
Live stats will be available for each match, and live video will be available for Idaho State's match against Belmont. Click the links below to access each.
Live Stats vs. Middle Tennessee
Live Stats vs. Belmont
Live Video vs. Belmont
Live Stats vs. UTA
