Bengals to Continue Conference Play With Early-Season Rematch and In-State Rivalry

Pocatello, ID - Idaho State Volleyball is riding high, and the momentum is wearing orange and black.

Sitting at a tie for first place in the Big Sky with the best overall record (13-4), and STILL boasting the best blocking defense in the country for over a month straight, the Bengals are playing some of the best volleyball in school history. The highlights have been consistent, and the expectations are sky-high.

But the job isn't finished yet, and there is still work to be done. 

ISU is hitting the road for a pair of matchups to continue conference play, including the first rematch of the season. The squad will travel up to Cheney, WA, for contest #2 against Eastern Washington on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 5:00 pm. The Bengals and Eagles opened conference play with each other in September, a 3-1 win for the hosts in Reed Gym. However, the Eagles are coming off a road win at Montana State, the only team to hand the Bengals a conference loss to date.

Following this, it will be eastbound for the Orange and Black to renew an annual in-state rivalry with the Idaho Vandals on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:00 pm. The Bengals-Vandals rivalry has been storied across every varsity sport on campus, and ISU will be looking to build upon a four-match win streak dating back to 2022.

Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+, and information can be found below.

Scouting the Eagles pt. 2
Tip-off: Thurs, Oct. 17 // 5:00pm MT
2024 Record: 7-8 (3-2 conf.)
2023 Record: 13-17 (6-10 conf.)
Last matchup: @ Montana State (W, 3-2)
Last matchup vs. ISU: Sept. 26, 2024 (ISU W, 3-1)
Series History: EWU leads 23-15
Notable Players: 6'3" Middle Blocker Bri Gunderson holds the most total blocks (99) in the Big Sky conference, and sits at second place in blocks per set (1.42) behind Jaydin Watts. Gunderson has been a versatile weapon for the Eagles, also sitting at ninth place in hitting percentage (.302)

ISU vs. EWU - ESPN+ Broadcast // LiveStats


Scouting the Vandals
Tip-off: Sat, Oct. 19 // 7:00pm MT
2024 Record: 1-15 (0-5 conf.)
2023 Record: 1-27 (0-16 conf.)
Last matchup: @ Montana State (L, 0-3)
Last matchup vs. ISU: Oct. 26, 2023 (ISU W, 3-0)
Series History: ISU leads 10-7
Notable Players: Opposite Hitter Zuzanna Wieczorek leads the Vandals offensively with 127 kills on the season. Junior Madu Fontes has been a serving specialist for Idaho in 2024, with nearly half of her serves on the season (15/33) recording aces.

ISU vs. UI - ESPN+ Broadcast // LiveStats