Bengals to Kick Off Conference Play Against the Eagles

Pocatello, Idaho – The Bengals are heading back home for their first conference game of the season following the Jackrabbit Invitational where they went 2-1 on the weekend. Idaho State is coming off a loss to the undefeated South Dakota State, with strong wins versus Belmont (swept 3-0) and Toledo (3-1).

The first match of the week will take place Thursday, September 26^th at 7:00 pm at Reed Gym where the Bengals are slated to face the Eastern Washington Eagles in what figures to be a great match up.

Idaho State will then road trip off to Colorado for their second match of the week, taking place on Saturday, September 28^th at 6:00 pm in Greeley, CO. The Bengals will play the Bears of Northern Colorado in their second conference game of the season in what figures to be a tough bout.
 
Information regarding streaming and match previews can be found below:

ISU vs. Eastern Washington
When – Thursday, September 26^th, 7:00 pm
Where – Reed Gym, Pocatello Idaho
Record: 4-6
2023 Record: 13-17 (6-10 conf.)

Player Spotlight:
# 9 Kalista Lukovich, Sophomore – Lukovuch leads the Eagles in total kills (122) and second in digs (109) and has been a great two-way player for Eastern Washington. She ranks 6^th in the Big Sky in kills and 8^th in total points scored.
# 8 Bri Gunderson, Redshirt Junior – Gunderson has been productive on both offense and defense this season, leading her team in both total blocks (59) and service aces (14). She currently ranks well in the Big Sky at 3^rd in blocks, 7^th in service aces, and 5^th in points scored.
 
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Live Stats
 
ISU @ Northern Colorado
When – Saturday, September 28^th, 6:00 pm
Where – Bank of Colorado Arena, Greeley, Colorado
Record: 9-4
2023 Record: 18-12 (12-4 conf.)

Player Spotlight:
# 15 Gabi Placide, Sophomore – the Bears currently boast an elite level of offense with Placide leading the way at 161 total kills (7^th in the Big Sky). Northern Colorado also holds 4 players totaling over 100 kills on the season with a fifth girl at 98.
#13 Sam Steele, Graduate – Steele holds the number one spot for the Bears in digs (176), good enough for 8^th in the conference. Along with strong defense she's been a strong server with 20 service aces (3^rd in the Big Sky).
# 3 Syd Cole, Graduate – Cole leads all of the Big Sky by a wide margin (151) in total assists with 534, cementing herself as the glue for the Bears offense. As well as that, she is 4^th in the conference with service aces (19).
 
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Bengal Bites

• The block party continues for the Bengals as they remain the leader in blocks in all of Division 1 volleyball with 158. Marci Bell heads the dominant front, ranking 2nd in the nation with 72 blocks and excelling offensively with a conference-best hitting percentage of .401. In the Big Sky, Idaho State boasts three players in the top 10 for blocks with Jaydin Watts sitting at 2^nd (65) and Meline Robarge rounding out the list at 10^th (49).
• The Idaho State offense has been strong this season, leading the Big Sky in hitting percentage (.267) led by none other than Jamie Streit. Streit is 6^th in conference in total points (174) and 5^th in kills (144). The Sopo'aga sisters remain the backbones of the strong Bengals team as Aliyah sits at 3^rd in assists in conference (383) and Asiah at 7^th in digs (160).
• Idaho State's offense has been a powerhouse this season, topping the Big Sky with a hitting percentage of .267, led by none other than Jamie Streit. Streit ranks 6^th in the conference for total points (174) and 5^th in kills (144). The Sopo'aga sisters continue to be key contributors as well, with Aliyah ranking 3^rd in assists (383) and Asiah 7^th in digs (160) within the Big Sky.