Volleyball Hosts Utah Valley for Home Opener

POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State volleyball hosts Utah Valley University for its home opener on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. in Reed Gym. The Bengals then travel to Kent, Ohio to compete in the Kent State Tournament against Valparaiso (Sept. 6) at 10 AM (MST), Robert Morris (Sept. 6) at 3 PM (MST), and Kent State (Sept. 7) at 9 AM (MST).
 
Scouting The Opponent
Utah Valley started its 2019 season with a 0-3 record after competing in the BYU Tournament Aug. 30-31. The Wolverines fell to No. 16 Marquette 3-0, No. 9 BYU 3-0, and Boise State 3-1.
They recorded a total of 117 kills over the three matches for an average of 11.7 kills per set while giving up 14.3 against. They totaled 24 service errors while recording nine aces.
Defensively, the Wolverines totaled 113 digs, 31 blocks for 3.1 blocks per set while their opponents totaled 134 digs and 20.5 blocks for 2.1 blocks per set.
 
Nebraska-Omaha Tournament Recap
The Bengals concluded their season opening Nebraska-Omaha tournament with a 2-1 record. ISU defeated the University at Albany 3-1, fell to Omaha 3-0, and finished with another 3-1 victory against Abilene Christian. Seniors Haylie Keck and Brooke Pehrson were named to the Omaha Challenge All-Tournament team.
UAlbany

The Bengals went four sets vs. Albany. They took the first two sets, 25-22 and 25-21, while dropping the third, 26-24, to the Great Danes. Idaho State came back with a strong finish in the fourth set with a 25-13 win. Senior Haylie Keck led the Bengals with 20 kills, four aces, and a .333 attacking percentage to score a total of 24.5 points for the team. Sophomore Raegan Steiner followed with 11 kills while junior Chelsea Vaughan led the team in assists with 35.
 
Nebraska-Omaha
Idaho State fell to Omaha 3-0 in their second match of the tournament.  Senior Haylie Keck led the team with eight kills followed by senior Brooke Pehrson who had seven kills and two blocks. Redshirt sophomore Kaia Rhodes recorded three blocks.  Junior Chelsea Vaughan totaled 24 assists. Sophomore Mahala Bradburn had 15 digs.  

Abilene Christian
Junior Aubrie Steiner led the team with 12 kills and 18 digs for a .365 attacking percentage. Senior Haylie Keck had 11 kills followed by senior Brooke Pehrson with 10 kills for a .375 attacking percentage, two blocks, and two aces. Junior Chelsea Vaughan recorded 36 assists, two blocks, and one ace in the match. Sophomore Mahala Bradburn totaled 15 digs and senior Kayla Ledezma totaled 13.
 
Admission for the 6 p.m. match vs. Utah Valley on Sept. 3 in Reed Gym is $7 for adults, $5 for kids, and free for ISU students. Tickets can be purchased at the door or call 208-282-FANS for tickets and information.

Video streaming will be available on Pluto TV channel 543. Live Stats and Audio will also be available for the match.
 
Watch the video below to hear Head Coach Sammi Stuart preview the match.