Pocatello, ID – Facing a double-header week of Big Sky volleyball, the Bengals proved they were up for the task going 2-0 versus conference foes in Portland State and Sacramento State.
Idaho State opened up the week with a match against the Portland State Vikings at home in their annual Pink Out showing. Idaho State showcased their strong offensive capabilities, finishing the match with 46 kills and an overall hitting percentage of .262 as they swept the Vikings 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 27-25).
Despite the sweep, this was no easy competition for the Bengals. Portland fought tooth and nail, but the strong Idaho State offense prevailed.
Jamie Streit led the surging attack with 12 overall kills, highlighted by this rocket to end the second set:
Sadie Bluth had a respective night as well, adding 11 kills to her 1,000-mark achieved last week against Idaho.
Following the Viking sweep, the Bengals saw two days of rest before facing a daunting foe in Sacramento State. Previous to this week of games, ISU sat at 3
rd in conference at 5-2, behind both Northern Colorado (6-1) and Sacramento (5-1). Boasting two players in the top 3 in total kills and points, Sacramento seemed to be both a pivotal and a tough match.
But the Bengals stood undeterred.
Sadie Bluth led the dominant and ferocious attack, battering the Hornets with strong and calculated spikes on the road to a team leading 15 kills (.308 pct).
Idaho State looked dominant, winning in 4 sets and only surrendering one to Sacramento (25-18, 25-17, 18-25, 25-16). The strong defensive team was once again led by
Marci Bell (5 blocks) and
Jaydin Watts (4 blocks).
While also leading the team in blocks, Bell had a night for the record books, notching 10 kills on 13 attempts and writing her name in the history of ISU volleyball at 2
nd all-time in kill percentage (.769) in a single game.
UP NEXT:
Following the 2-0 week, the Idaho State Bengals sit at 2
nd in the Big Sky at 16-5 (7-2 in conf). The team will head off to Montana for a 2-game weekend against their Northern foes in the Griz and the Bobcats.
