Box Score PDF
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Idaho State volleyball team made quick work of Middle Tennessee in its first of three matches at the Bruise Showcase, hosted by Belmont. The Bengals defeated the Blue Raiders 3-0 with scores of 25-17, 25-9 and 25-20.
"We served tough and we were able to create offensive opportunities," said Head Coach
Rick Reynolds. "It was a really efficient match for us offensively, and defensively we were able to get more touches at the net and pick up digs at a higher rate."
Idaho State (2-2) finished the match with seven aces, three of which came from sophomore libero
Haylie Keck, in addition to 36 digs and 6.0 team blocks. The Bengals finished with 34 kills, with a match-high 12 coming from junior outside hitter
Abby Garrity, while hitting .455 as a squad. ISU forced Middle Tennessee (0-5) to hit just .099 for 29 total kills and seven receiving errors.
In the first set, two straight kills from senior outside hitter
Chloe Hirst put ISU out in front 2-0, but a kill from Middle Tennessee and a Bengal error tied things up 2-all. The Bengals then put together a massive run, outscoring the Blue Raiders 17-8 to gain a 19-10 advantage. ISU cruised to the 25-17 win.
In the second set, it was all Idaho State. The Bengals logged 10 kills off 18 attempts with no errors to hit .556 and forced the Blue Raiders to hit -.138. Four ISU service aces and 12 digs stalled Middle Tennessee's offense as the Bengals slammed Middle Tennessee 25-9 to take a 2-0 match advantage.
The Bengals closed the match hitting .407 for 13 kills in the third set, but the Blue Raiders responded hitting .387 for 13 kills in the final match. The set was tied 17-all following a kills from Middle Tennessee, but the Bengals put together an 8-3 run to claim the 25-20 set win and 3-0 match win.
The Blue Raiders were led by Josie Maxim with eight kills while Brienna Tankesley added 12 digs.
ISU is back in action this evening against host Belmont at 5 p.m. MST. Click
here for live stats.
