MISSOULA, Montana – Idaho State volleyball's three-match conference win streak came to an end Thursday night, as the Bengals dropped a competitive four-set match to Montana (19–25, 25–15, 22–25, 22–25) inside Dahlberg Arena. With the loss, Idaho State moves to 7–12 overall and 3–4 in Big Sky play, while the Grizzlies improve to 13–6 and 5–3 in league action.
Recap
The Bengals were efficient offensively, hitting .267 as a team, but couldn't overcome key late runs by the Grizzlies in sets three and four. Idaho State battled from start to finish, posting 53 kills to Montana's 55 and finishing with more total assists and digs, but Montana's balance at the pins proved decisive down the stretch.
Redshirt-freshman outside hitter Abby McClain led the Bengals with 15 kills and 16.5 total points, while hitting .243 on 37 swings. Senior middle blocker Marci Bell continued her strong play at the net with 9 kills on .381 hitting and five block assists, and redshirt-freshman outside hitter Annelie Wilson added nine kills, nine digs, and four blocks.
Freshman setter Nora Waddoups recorded yet another double-double 45 assists, 12 digs, and two block assists, guiding the Bengals to one of their most consistent offensive efforts of the season. Junior middle blocker Jaydin Watts was a force in the middle of the floor, tying the 14th best hitting percentage in a single match in ISU histroy (min. 11 attempts), hitting an impressive .667 with 10 kills and six block assists, while senior Meline Shulikov contributed 8 kills, 14 digs, and 4 block assists.
Libero Jenna Werbelow anchored the back row with 12 digs, while Chloe Heimlicher added 14 in an outstanding defensive effort.
After dropping the opening frame 25–19, the Bengals dominated set two, hitting .293 and holding Montana to .061 in a 25–15 win. Idaho State trailed by as many as six points in both the third and fourth sets but clawed back each time, tying things late before Montana's late swings sealed the match.
Despite the loss, Idaho State matched Montana nearly point-for-point in every category, finishing with 68 total points to Montana's 71 while being out-dug by the Grizzlies 65–71 and holding a .267–.217 edge in hitting percentage.
Bengal Bites
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Idaho State hit .267 as a team—its second-highest mark this season.
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McClain: 15 kills (.243), 3 digs, 1 block (16.5 points).
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Bell: 9 kills (.381), 6 blocks (12.5 points).
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Watts: 10 kills (.667), 6 blocks (13.0 points). T-14th highest hitting percentage in ISU Single Match history (min. 11 attempts)
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Wilson: 9 kills (.206), 9 digs, 4 blocks (11.0 points).
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Shulikov: 8 kills, 14 digs, 4 blocks (10.0 points).
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Waddoups: 45 assists, 12 digs, 2 blocks.
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Heimlicher: 14 digs (most in a single match this season), 1 ace.
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Werbelow: 12 digs, 1 ace.
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Idaho State totaled 12 team blocks and committed just 13 attack errors across 150 swings.
Next Up
Idaho State continues its road trip on Saturday, Oct. 25, visiting Montana State in Bozeman. First serve is set for 1 p.m. MT.
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