GREELEY, CO — Idaho State volleyball has officially rewritten Big Sky Conference history for the second time in as many days.

The Bengals, entering the league tournament as the No. 8 seed, stunned No. 4 Weber State in a 3–2 classic on Tuesday afternoon, becoming the first 8-seed ever to reach the Big Sky Tournament Championship match. Idaho State (14–17, 7–9 BSC) has now won four straight five-set matches, all in the most critical stretch of the season, and will play for its first tournament title since 2013.

It is the program's first championship appearance since 2015 and one of the most improbable postseason runs the Big Sky has ever seen.

Head Coach Sean Carter, moments removed from the historic win, summed up the magnitude with measured pride.

"Obviously very excited… but mostly just so proud of our team. We gave away two sets, but we stayed forward-focused. Our defense and blocking really came through at the end."

Bengals Rally After Dropping First Two Sets

Idaho State dropped the opening sets 20–25 and 23–25, struggling to finish late in each frame. Carter acknowledged that those lapses could have derailed the Bengals entirely.

"I've harped on 'em all year — we have to find ways to finish sets. We felt like we let two go away, but they didn't let it affect them."

Instead, Idaho State exploded in the third set, crushing Weber State 25–12 behind a huge defensive push and a suddenly unstoppable middle attack. That surge infused the Bengals with momentum that carried into a tight fourth set, where ISU edged Weber 26–24 to force the decider.

From there, the Bengals played like a team with nothing left to lose — and everything to gain.

Fifth Set Dominance: "We felt like we were playing with house money."

Idaho State stormed into the fifth with confidence and clarity. Carter's message entering the final frame was simple:

"We felt like we were playing with house money, and the girls came out and executed in the fifth."

The Bengals hit .583 in the set while holding Weber State to .000, turning big digs and big swings into a commanding 15–7 match-clinching win.

Carter praised the collective execution:

"Our three pillars are serve, block, and dig. We got aces, we blocked really well, and we dug heat from one of the most firepower teams in our league."

Balanced, Unselfish Offense Fuels the Upset

For the second straight match, the Bengals showed remarkable balance across their lineup, with production coming from every corner of the court:

• Brinley Smith continued her late-season breakout, delivering 15 kills on .294 hitting in another high-output performance.
  Carter: "Brinley has been on a heater… she's been ready, and she has stepped up."

• Annelie Wilson was exceptional, posting 13 kills on 37 attempts, while also recording 7 digs.
  Carter: "She came up with some big-time kills in the fifth and passed and dug at a high level — incredible for a freshman."

• Marci Bell anchored the middle with 11 kills on .381 hitting, adding five block assists in another signature postseason outing.
  Carter: "Marci, another smooth 11 kills on 21 swings — big ones when we needed them."

• Jaydin Watts battled heavy defensive attention to finish with eight kills and seven blocks, serving as a constant presence at the net.

• Meline Shulikov added seven kills, 11 digs, and five blocks, helping ISU stabilize after a rocky start.

• Setter Nora Waddoups quarterbacked the entire operation with 42 assists, 14 digs, three kills, two blocks, and two aces — her 18th double-double of the season.
  Carter: "Poor Nora always feels it's never good enough with me — but she was terrific. Her distribution, her digging, her competitiveness… she's a huge part of why we're here."

Defensive Backbone Carries ISU Into the Title Match

Idaho State recorded 14 team blocks and 66 digs in the win, with three different players finishing in double-digit digs. Libero Jenna Werbelow led the way with 20.

"We want to be the serve-block-dig team," Carter said. "And we certainly were that tonight."

ISU's bench also played a crucial role, with Carter praising their "next-girl-up" mentality:

"We had two subs in the fifth set who hadn't played all night. They came in and made huge plays. That's our culture."

BENGAL BITES

• Idaho State becomes the first No. 8 seed ever to reach the Big Sky Tournament Championship.

• The Bengals have now won four straight five-set matches, their longest streak of the season.

• ISU advances to its first title match since 2015 and seeks its first tournament championship since 2013.

• Idaho State out-hit Weber State .250 to .124, including .583 in the decisive set.

• Five Bengals finished with 7+ kills, three reached double figures.

• Three Bengals recorded double-digit digs.

• Nora Waddoups: 42 assists, 14 digs, 3 kills, 2 aces, 2 blocks (18th double-double).

UP NEXT: THE BIG SKY CHAMPIONSHIP

Idaho State will play in the 2025 Big Sky Tournament Championship on Wednesday night at the Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley, CO. First serve is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

For the first time in a decade, the Bengals are 3 sets from a trophy.

And for the first time ever, an 8-seed will play for the right to lift it.