CHENEY, Wash. – Idaho State volleyball returned to the win column Thursday night, defeating Eastern Washington 3–1 (25–20, 25–17, 20–25, 25–22) at Reese Court. The Bengals improved to 8–15 overall and 4–7 in Big Sky play, while the Eagles fell to 2–21 and 0–11 in conference.
Recap
The Bengals showcased one of their most balanced offensive efforts of the season, hitting .294 as a team while totaling 57 kills and just 17 errors on 136 attempts. Idaho State controlled the first two sets with steady passing and consistent hitting, regrouped after a third-set loss, and closed the fourth with poise to secure a much-needed road win.
Head Coach Sean Carter praised his team's offensive efficiency but pointed to stretches where service and first-touch execution needed improvement. "We had stretches where we looked really good, but we can't miss 11 serves," Carter said. "Eastern played amazing defense—they were making diving digs, and we were overpassing or passing too tight. Once our first touches improved, we were really hard to stop."
Redshirt freshman outside hitter Annelie Wilson led the Bengals with her first career double-double, finishing with 15 kills and a career-high 16 digs while hitting .263 and adding one block and an ace for 16.5 total points. Carter credited Wilson's continued growth as a versatile offensive weapon. "Annie was finding ways to score from everywhere," he said. "She's developed into someone we can rely on both offensively and defensively, and tonight was a great example of that."
Redshirt freshman outside hitter Abby McClain added a team-high 17 kills on .282 hitting, continuing her streak of strong two-way play. "Annie and Abby played great," Carter said. "They were scoring from all over the floor, even when the passing wasn't perfect. Abby's grinding through an injury right now, so for her to still produce like that was huge."
Freshman setter Nora Waddoups delivered another all-around gem, recording 40 assists, 10 digs, five service aces, and four kills on .800 hitting for her 11th double-double of the season. Her ability to keep the offense in rhythm helped ISU maintain its tempo and stretch leads throughout the match. "When Nora's connecting like that, we're really hard to defend," Carter said. "She's keeping defenses guessing and finding open hitters in rhythm."
Nora's 5 service aces in tonight's match ties her for 14th on the ISU Single Match Service Aces list. Waddoups becomes just the 21st Bengal in program history to serve for 5 or more aces in a single match.
Senior Brinley Smith added eight kills, while senior middle blocker Marci Bell contributed one kill and two blocks. Junior Jaydin Watts provided a spark off the bench, hitting .625 with five kills and a block in her first action since Oct. 25th at Montana State, dealing with an injury.
Defensively, Idaho State finished with 56 digs and 4 team blocks, anchored by freshman defensive specialist Chloe Heimlicher with 12 digs and an ace, and libero Jenna Werbelow with seven digs and an ace of her own. The Bengals registered eight service aces on the night, tied for the 2nd most in a single match this season, using pressure from the back line to control the flow of play.
The Bengals closed the match on a 5-1 run, capped by a Werbelow dig that would fall into the Eagles' boundary for Werbelow's first kill of the season.
Bengal Bites
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Idaho State improves to 8–15 overall, 4–7 Big Sky play.
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The Bengals had their 2nd highest hit percentage as a team in a game this season (.294)
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McClain: 17 kills (.282), 2 digs, 17.0 points.
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Wilson: 15 kills (.263), career-high 16 digs (first career double-double), 1 block, 1 ace (16.5 points).
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Waddoups: 40 assists, 10 digs (11th double-double of the season), 5 aces, 4 kills (.800).
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Smith: 8 kills (.160), 8.0 points.
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Watts: 5 kills (.625), 1 block, 6.0 points.
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Werbelow: 7 digs, 1 ace, 1 kill.
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Heimlicher: 12 digs, 1 ace.
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ISU totaled 57 kills, 8 aces, 56 digs, and 5 team blocks while holding Eastern to .163 hitting.
Next Up
Idaho State continues its final Big Sky road trip of the regular season on Saturday, traveling to Moscow to take on the University of Idaho. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. MT.
