Bengals Head to UniWyo Invite to Face Wyoming, Long Beach State, and Portland

Matchup Overview

Idaho State Volleyball (2-7) travels to Laramie this week for the UniWyo Invite, hosted by the University of Wyoming. The Bengals will face Portland on Thursday, the host Cowgirls on Friday, and Long Beach State on Saturday.

Season Outlook

The Bengals are looking to rebound after a challenging start to the season that included three competitive matches at the Boise State Invitational. Junior outside hitter Jaydin Watts, the Big Sky Preseason MVP, continues to anchor Idaho State's offense with efficient hitting and strong blocking at the net. Senior Meline Shulikov adds power and versatility, while redshirt junior Marci Bell has been one of the Big Sky's most productive blockers. Freshman Ava Brickner and redshirt senior Brinley Smith provide additional offensive firepower, and freshman setter Nora Waddoups continues to grow into her role as the team's primary distributor. With defensive stability from Jenna Werbelow and Chloe Heimlicher, Idaho State is aiming to turn its early-season lessons into results in Laramie.

By the Numbers (through Sept. 15)

• Record: 2-7

• Attack Percentage: .169

• Kills Per Set: 10.32

• Blocks Per Set: 2.18

• Digs Per Set: 12.36

Players to Watch

Jaydin Watts leads Idaho State with 65 kills (1.86 per set), hitting a team-best .378 while adding 41 blocks. Marci Bell has totaled 60 kills and a team-high 46 blocks (1.34 per set), while Ava Brickner has chipped in 59 kills (2.36 per set). Brinley Smith rounds out a balanced attack with 42 kills and 13 blocks. Freshman setter Nora Waddoups directs the Bengals' offense with 192 assists (6.40 per set), and sophomore libero Jenna Werbelow leads the defense with 94 digs (3.76 per set).

Quick Scout

• Wyoming (3-5) – The host Cowgirls have battled through a tough opening schedule with wins over Oregon State and Kansas City. Outside hitter Abby Olsen leads with 101 kills (3.11 per set), while setter Paige Boday averages 9.24 assists. Wyoming is hitting .229 as a team and averaging 2.15 blocks per set.

• Long Beach State (4-4) – The Beach are an even .500 through their first eight matches. Katie Kennedy leads the way with 90 kills (3.00 per set) on .310 hitting, while Annie Spreen adds 86 kills. Setter Callie Schwarzenbach averages 9.41 assists per set, and libero Natalie Glenn leads the defense with 138 digs (4.60 per set).

• Portland (5-3) – The Pilots are above .500 thanks to the play of outside hitter Maya Nielsen, who has 108 kills (3.27 per set), and setter Taylor Gould with 296 assists (9.87 per set). Defensively, Emma Peters anchors the back row with 120 digs (3.75 per set).

How to Follow

• Thursday, Sept. 18 – Idaho State vs. Portland (2:00 p.m. MT)
  📺 Watch | 📊 Live Stats

• Friday, Sept. 19 – Idaho State at Wyoming (6:30 p.m. MT)
  📺 Watch | 📊 Live Stats

• Saturday, Sept. 20 – Idaho State vs. Long Beach State (10:30 a.m. MT)
  📺 Watch | 📊 Live Stats

Bengal Bites

• Idaho State leads the Big Sky in blocks per set (2.77) and ranks third in opponent hitting percentage (.170).

• Jaydin Watts – 5th in the Big Sky in hitting percentage (.378), 6th in blocks per set (1.17), and ISU's leader in kills (65, 1.86 per set).

• Marci Bell – 3rd in the Big Sky in blocks per set (1.34), leads ISU with 46 total blocks, and ranks second on the team in kills (60).

• Jenna Werbelow – 4th in the Big Sky in digs per set (3.76), leading Idaho State with 94 total digs.

• Nora Waddoups – 8th in the Big Sky in assists per set (6.40) and tied for 7th in service aces (0.33 per set, 10 total). She leads the Bengals with 176 assists.

• Chloe Heimlicher – Tied for 5th in the Big Sky in service aces in a single match (4 vs. San Francisco).

• Team Leaders:

  • Kills – Jaydin Watts (65)

  • Assists – Nora Waddoups (192)

  • Digs – Jenna Werbelow (94)

  • Blocks – Marci Bell (47)

  • Service Aces – Nora Waddoups (10)

Looking Ahead

Following the UniWyo Invite, Idaho State returns to Pocatello for its home opener at the Bengal Invitational at Reed Gym, beginning Friday, Sept. 26.