PORTLAND, Ore. – Idaho State volleyball dropped its Big Sky Conference opener Thursday night, falling to Portland State in straight sets 0-3 (19-25, 23–25, 22–25) at Viking Pavilion.
Recap
The Bengals battled the Vikings point for point but couldn't finish late in each set. ISU hit .145 as a team and totaled 34 kills but were edged by PSU's .221 hitting and 43 kills.
Brinley Smith paced the Bengals with 11 kills, while Ava Brickner and Meline Shulikov each added 7. Shulikov also contributed 2 service aces and 3 blocks for 10.5 points. Marci Bell tallied 3 kills and 3 blocks, and Jaydin Watts chipped in 3 kills and 2 blocks.
Setter Nora Waddoups recorded 25 assists and 13 digs for a double-double, while libero Jenna Werbelow led the defense with 16 digs. ISU finished with 10 team blocks and 6 service aces but couldn't slow down Portland State's balanced offense, led by Alivia Eikenberg (11 kills) and Tyra Schaub (10 kills).
Bengal Bites
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Idaho State falls to 4–9 overall and 0–1 in Big Sky play.
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Smith: team-high 11 kills.
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Brickner & Shulikov: 7 kills each; Shulikov added 2 aces and 3 blocks.
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Bell: 3 kills and 3 blocks.
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Waddoups: double-double with 25 assists and 13 digs.
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Werbelow: team-best 16 digs.
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ISU recorded 10 total blocks and 6 service aces.
Next Up
Idaho State returns home to Reed Gym in Pocatello for its Big Sky home opener, hosting Northern Arizona on Saturday, Sept. 27.
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