BOZEMAN, Montana – Idaho State volleyball dropped a four-set battle with Montana State on Saturday night, falling 1-3 (16-25, 22-25, 25-19, 14-25) at Shroyer Gym in a matchup with significant implications in the Big Sky Conference standings.

The Bengals struggled to find their offensive rhythm through the first two sets before responding with their strongest offensive performance of the night in the third. Montana State answered with a dominant fourth set, hitting .500 to close out the match and earn the 3-1 victory.

The loss moves Idaho State to 15-7 overall and 7-3 in Big Sky Conference play, while Montana State improves to 14-7 overall and 7-3 in conference action, strengthening its position in the race for second place.

Montana State established control early in the opening set, recording 15 kills on .250 hitting while holding Idaho State to seven kills and nine attacking errors. The Bengals struggled to generate consistent offense, finishing the frame with a -.048 hitting percentage as the Bobcats took the opener 25-16.

The second set proved more competitive, with Idaho State finding additional opportunities offensively. The Bengals recorded nine kills but committed seven attacking errors, finishing with a .069 hitting percentage. Montana State continued to apply pressure, totaling 16 kills despite nine attacking errors to secure a 25-22 win and take a 2-0 lead in the match.

Idaho State responded in the third set, putting together its best stretch of volleyball of the evening.

The Bengals recorded 12 kills on .276 hitting while limiting Montana State to 10 kills and a .111 hitting percentage. The set featured eight ties and six lead changes as Idaho State battled to gain control. The Bengals ultimately pulled away to win 25-19, extending the match to a fourth set.

Montana State answered emphatically in the fourth. The Bobcats recorded 18 kills on 28 attempts, committing just four errors to finish with a .500 hitting percentage. Idaho State managed nine kills on .292 hitting, but Montana State's offensive efficiency proved too much to overcome as the Bobcats closed out the match with a 25-14 victory.

Despite the loss, Idaho State finished with nine total blocks, compared to Montana State's 12. Senior middle blocker Jaydin Watts led the Bengals with six total blocks, recording one solo block and five block assists. Mia Walsh added four block assists, while Abby McClain contributed two block assists.

Offensively, Walsh led Idaho State with eight kills, adding 10 digs, one service ace and four block assists. She finished with 11 points while contributing on both sides of the net.

Annelie Wilson recorded six kills and nine digs, while Nora Waddoups added six kills on .500 hitting. Waddoups also led the Bengals with 18 assists and contributed five digs in three sets of action.

Watts finished with five kills on .188 hitting to go along with her six blocks. Isabella Beatty provided an efficient attacking performance off the bench, recording four kills without an error on eight attempts for a .500 hitting percentage. McClain also finished with four kills.

Defensively, Aspen Boice and Walsh led Idaho State with 10 digs apiece. Wilson and Kadence Marsh each added nine digs, helping the Bengals finish with 51 team digs, matching Montana State's total.

Montana State's attack was led by Joelie Spelts, who delivered a standout performance with 17 kills on 24 attempts and just one attacking error, finishing with a .667 hitting percentage. Karli Heidemann added 14 kills, while Lauren Greeny contributed 10 kills and 11 digs. Setter Teagan Jaynes directed the Bobcat offense with 43 assists.

Montana State finished with 59 kills on .250 hitting, compared with Idaho State's 37 kills on .121 hitting. The Bobcats also held a 6-1 advantage in service aces, while Idaho State finished with seven service errors and six reception errors.
 

Bengal Bites

• Jaydin Watts led the Bengals with six total blocks, including one solo block and five block assists.

• Mia Walsh led Idaho State with eight kills and added 10 digs and four block assists.

• The Bengals finished with 51 digs, matching Montana State's total.

• Montana State finished with 59 kills on .250 hitting, compared with Idaho State's 37 kills on .121 hitting.

• Montana State recorded six service aces, while Idaho State finished with one.