Bengals Open Big Sky Play at Portland State, Host Northern Arizona in Home Opener

Matchup Overview

Idaho State Volleyball (4-8) begins Big Sky Conference play this week with a road match at Portland State on Thursday, Sept. 25, before returning home for its Reed Gym debut on Saturday, Sept. 27, against Northern Arizona.

Season Outlook

The Bengals closed non-conference play on a positive note, earning wins over Portland and Wyoming to cap off tournament action. Idaho State has established itself as one of the nation's premier blocking teams, ranking 15th in the NCAA in blocks per set and 4th in total blocks. Individually, Marci Bell is 23rd nationally in blocks per set and tied for 6th in total blocks, while Jaydin Watts ranks 33rd in hitting percentage and tied for 55th in total blocks. Freshman setter Nora Waddoups has also emerged as one of the country's top rookies, standing 24th among NCAA freshmen in assists. With national-caliber play at the net and steady growth across the lineup, the Bengals enter Big Sky play with momentum and a strong identity built on defense and efficiency.

By the Numbers (through Sept. 22)

• Record: 4-8

• Attack Percentage: .168

• Kills Per Set: 11.27

• Blocks Per Set: 2.80

• Digs Per Set: 13.67

Players to Watch

Jaydin Watts leads Idaho State with 112 kills (2.29 per set) while hitting .408 and adding 57 total blocks (1.16 per set). She ranks 2nd in the Big Sky in hitting percentage, 33rd in the NCAA in hitting percentage, 6th in the Big Sky in blocks per set, and tied for 55th nationally in total blocks. Marci Bell has been one of the Big Sky's top front-row presences, totaling 96 kills (1.96 per set) and a team-high 65 blocks (1.33 per set). She currently ranks 23rd in the NCAA in blocks per set and is tied for 6th nationally in total blocks. Freshman setter Nora Waddoups has recorded 288 assists (6.55 per set), ranking 24th among NCAA freshmen in total assists. She also ranks 8th in the Big Sky in assists per set and tied for 7th in aces. Ava Brickner has added 87 kills (2.23 per set), while Brinley Smith has contributed 53 kills and 19 blocks. Libero Jenna Werbelow leads the back row with 147 digs (3.77 per set).

Quick Scout

• Portland State (4-7) – The Vikings are led by Alivia Eikenberg (140 kills, 3.26 per set) and Willow Watson (84 kills, 37 blocks, .291 hitting). Setter Ava Blascziek contributes 166 assists (5.03 per set), and libero Paige Stepaniuk averages 3.56 digs per set. As a team, PSU averages 11.62 kills and 2.31 blocks per set.

  • All-Time Series vs. Idaho State: Portland State leads 39-29 overall. In Pocatello the series is tied 14-14, while PSU holds a 20-13 edge in Portland and 4-1 at neutral sites. In Big Sky play, ISU trails 22-35.

  • Recent Meetings: Idaho State has won three straight in the series, including a 3-0 sweep in Portland in the 2024 regular-season finale and a 3-1 win in Pocatello in 2023.

• Northern Arizona (10-3) – The Lumberjacks are hitting .258 as a team and holding opponents to .149. Hanah Stoddard leads the Big Sky in kills (201, 4.47 per set), while Gigi Greenlee adds 108 kills (.373 hitting). NAU also tops the league in digs (16.49 per set) and is second in blocks (2.50 per set).

  • All-Time Series vs. Idaho State: Idaho State leads 41-40 overall, including a 24-15 advantage at home and 13-23 mark in Flagstaff. ISU is 33-37 vs. NAU in Big Sky play and 3-2 in the Big Sky Tournament.

  • Recent Meetings: ISU and NAU split two matches in 2024, with ISU winning 3-1 in the Big Sky Tournament after falling 3-2 in the regular-season finale in Pocatello.

How to Follow

• Thursday, Sept. 25 – Idaho State at Portland State (7:00 p.m. PT)
  📺 ESPN+ | 📊 Live Stats

• Saturday, Sept. 27 – Idaho State vs. Northern Arizona (6:00 p.m. MT, Reed Gym)
  📺 ESPN+ | 📊 Live Stats

Bengal Bites

• NCAA Rankings

  • Idaho State is 15th in the NCAA in blocks per set (2.80) and 4th nationally in total blocks (124).

  • Jaydin Watts – 33rd in the NCAA in hitting percentage (.408) and tied for 55th in total blocks.

  • Marci Bell – 23rd in the NCAA in blocks per set (1.33) and tied for 6th nationally in total blocks (65).

  • Nora Waddoups – 24th in the NCAA among freshmen in total assists (288).

• Big Sky Rankings

  • Watts – 2nd in hitting percentage, 6th in blocks per set.

  • Bell – 2nd in blocks per set.

  • Werbelow – 4th in digs per set (3.77), posted a league season-high 30 digs vs. Wyoming.

  • Waddoups – 8th in assists per set (6.55), tied for 7th in aces (0.25 per set, 11 total).

  • Heimlicher – Tied for 5th in single-match service aces (4 vs. San Francisco).

• Team Leaders

  • Kills – Jaydin Watts (112)

  • Assists – Nora Waddoups (288)

  • Digs – Jenna Werbelow (147)

  • Blocks – Marci Bell (65)

  • Service Aces – Nora Waddoups & Kadence Marsh (11 each)

Looking Ahead

After opening week of Big Sky play, Idaho State continues league action on the road at Weber State in Ogden, UT on Friday, Oct. 3rd at 6 p.m.

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