POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State volleyball dropped a hard-fought four-set battle to Sacramento State on Thursday night, falling 1–3 (17–25, 20–25, 25–20, 16–25) inside Reed Gym. The loss moves the Bengals to 7–14 overall and 3–6 in Big Sky play, while the Hornets improve to 14–8 and 7–3 in conference action.
Recap
The Bengals showed flashes of control and energy throughout the match, taking the third set convincingly before Sacramento State closed strong to secure the win. Idaho State hit .161 as a team and tallied 45 kills on 143 attempts, while Sacramento State posted a .301 mark with 62 kills and 6 total blocks.
Redshirt freshman outside hitter Abby McClain led the Bengal attack with 10 kills on 36 swings, followed closely by senior middle blocker Marci Bell who added 9, and redshirt freshmen Ashlyn Smith and Ava Brickner, who each added 8. Freshman setter Nora Waddoups distributed 32 assists and another double-double.
Defensively, senior libero Jenna Werbelow recorded 4 digs and 2 service aces, while freshman defensive specialist Chloe Heimlicher added 13 digs and handled a majority of the back-row passing duties. Kadence Marsh chipped in 9 digs, 6 assists, and 1 ace, and Annelie Wilson, who appeared in one set, added 4 kills and an ace.
Idaho State's best stretch came in the third set, when the Bengals hit .297 and took the frame 25–20 behind strong play from Brickner and Bell at the pins. Bell hit .333 for the match and led ISU with 10 total points, while Marsh's late service run helped the Bengals pull away midway through the set.
Sacramento State's balance and efficiency proved too much in the end, as the Hornets hit above .300 in all four sets, including a blistering .387 mark in the opener.
Bengal Bites
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Idaho State hit .297 in the third set, their best single-set percentage of the night.
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McClain: 10 kills (.111), 3 digs, 10.0 points.
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Bell: 9 kills (.333), 3 digs, 2 blocks (10.0 points).
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Smith: 8 kills (.238), 4 digs, 3 blocks (9.5 points).
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Brickner: 8 kills (.167), 2 digs, 1 block (8.5 points).
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Waddoups: 32 assists, 12 digs, 1 block, .200 hitting.
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Marsh: 3 kills, 6 assists, 9 digs, 1 ace (5.5 points).
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Werbelow: 4 digs, 2 aces (2.0 points).
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ISU recorded 5 team blocks, 5 service aces, and 52 total digs.
Next Up
Idaho State continues Big Sky action at home in Reed Gym, hosting the Portland State Vikings on Saturday, November 1st at 2 p.m.
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