FLAGSTAFF, AZ – Idaho State volleyball battled through one of the wildest sets ever played at any level of NCAA volleyball on Saturday afternoon but ultimately fell 1–3 (22–25, 42–44, 22–25, 14–25) to Northern Arizona inside Rolle Activity Center.
The match featured a second set that will live permanently in the Idaho State record books: the 44–42 marathon stands as the highest-scoring set in Idaho State Volleyball history and the highest-scoring set played by any NCAA team this season.
The Bengals drop to 9–17 overall and 5–10 in Big Sky play, while NAU improves to 22–6 and 12–3.
Recap
Idaho State opened with a poised and aggressive first set, siding out at 65 percent and taking the opener 25–22. What followed, however, was one of the most extraordinary sets in the history of college volleyball.
A Set for the Ages – Highest-Scoring in NCAA This Season, and the Highest in Idaho State History
The second set stretched into true marathon territory, ending 44–42 after 86 combined points — the highest-scoring set in the NCAA this season, surpassing the previous national high of 76 total points (39–37, Navy def. Utah Valley, Aug. 29).
More importantly for Idaho State, the set also shattered the program's all-time scoring record.
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Previous ISU record: 37–35 vs Weber State on October 11, 2003, a match the Bengals went on to sweep.
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New ISU record: 42-44, set today against NAU.
Idaho State had six set-point opportunities, NAU had eight, and both teams delivered high-level sideout volleyball for nearly 20 straight minutes. ISU recorded 25 kills in the set, with Meline Shulikov, Abby McClain, and Jaydin Watts driving the Bengals through the most dramatic set of the 2025 season.
This remarkable battle also marks Idaho State's fourth set this season to reach 30+ points, with previous extended frames coming earlier in matches against:
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CSU Northridge
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Long Beach State
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Weber State
Despite the emotional toll of the historic frame, ISU remained competitive in the third set before NAU closed late and carried momentum into the fourth.
Bengal Leaders
Junior middle blocker Jaydin Watts produced one of her most efficient Big Sky outings, finishing with 13 kills on .500 hitting, adding two blocks and 14.5 total points.
Senior middle blocker Marci Bell continued her strong form with 11 kills on .320 and four blocks.
Redshirt freshman outside hitter Abby McClain matched Watts with 13 kills, adding six digs and providing critical scoring throughout the historic second set.
Freshman setter Nora Waddoups dished out 42 assists and recorded 19 digs, finishing just one shy of a 20-dig performance while navigating the Bengals through their highest-offense set of the year.
Libero Jenna Werbelow posted 27 digs, her second-highest total in her career, while junior DS Chloe Heimlicher added six digs.
Senior outside hitter Meline Shulikov added nine kills, eight digs, and three blocks in one of her most complete outings since returning to full rotation.
By the Numbers
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Idaho State hit .128 with 61 total kills, including 25 in the 42–44 second set.
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The Bengals held NAU to .130 in the opening frame.
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ISU recorded 6 service aces and out-served NAU in the first two sets.
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NAU edged ISU in blocks (7.5-9) and digs (87–88).
Bengal Bites
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The 42–44 set is the highest-scoring NCAA set in the nation this season and the highest-scoring set in Idaho State program history.
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Idaho State has now played four 30+ point sets in 2025.
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Watts: 13 kills (.500), 2 blocks, 14.5 points.
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Bell: 11 kills (.320), 4 blocks, 15.0 points.
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McClain: 13 kills, 6 digs, 13.0 points.
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Shulikov: 9 kills, 8 digs, 3 blocks.
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Waddoups: 42 assists, 19 digs.
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Werbelow: 27 digs.
Next Up
Idaho State returns home for the final week of the regular season, hosting Montana State on Wednesday at 7 p.m. inside Reed Gym, followed by Montana on Friday at 7 p.m. for Senior Day before traveling to Greeley, CO for the Big Sky Conference Tournament.
