CEDAR CITY, Utah – It was a record-breaking night for Idaho State volleyball as senior Jaydin Watts continues to etch her name into the Bengal record books, setting a new program single-match hitting percentage record in Idaho State's 3-0 sweep of Southern Utah Thursday night inside the America First Event Center.

Watts delivered a nearly flawless offensive performance, recording 14 kills without a single attacking error on 17 swings, finishing with an astounding .824 hitting percentage. Her performance surpassed the previous program record of .812, set by Brooke Pehrson against Weber State on October 29, 2016.

Behind Watts' historic performance, Idaho State defeated the Thunderbirds 26-24, 25-20, 25-16, improving to 13-4 overall and extending its winning streak to five straight.

The record also placed Watts ahead of several notable performances in Idaho State history, including Marci Bell's .769 hitting percentage against Sacramento State in 2024 and the .750 marks recorded by Kristy Chatterley in 1989 and Jennie James in 1993.

The opening set provided Idaho State with its biggest challenge of the evening. The Bengals recorded 14 kills but committed nine attacking errors, hitting .122 in a tightly contested frame. After building an early advantage, Idaho State allowed Southern Utah to work its way back into the set, but the Bengals made the necessary plays down the stretch to escape with a 26-24 victory.

"We had a big gap in the first and gave it up," Head Coach Sean Carter said. "Jaydin Watts had a career night. The rest of our hitters had a down night, and we were high in errors."

After surviving the opener, the Bengals began to settle into their offense.

Idaho State improved its efficiency in the second set, recording 10 kills with just four attacking errors while holding Southern Utah to .108 hitting. The Bengals gradually pulled away from the Thunderbirds, taking the second set 25-20 to move within one frame of another victory.

The third set was all Idaho State.

The Bengals delivered their strongest offensive frame of the night, hammering home 13 kills on .360 hitting, committing just four errors on 25 swings. Idaho State also continued to frustrate the Southern Utah attack, holding the Thunderbirds to nine kills on .065 hitting.

With its offense finding a rhythm and defense controlling the net, Idaho State pulled away for a 25-16 victory, completing the sweep and extending its winning streak to five matches.

Watts was the difference-maker offensively, accounting for 14 of Idaho State's 37 kills, nearly 38 percent of the team's total offensive production. The senior middle blocker also added a solo block and a block assist, finishing with a match-high 15.5 points.

Her .824 hitting percentage established a new standard in the Idaho State record books, breaking a mark that had stood for nearly a decade and adding another milestone to her decorated Bengal career.

Behind Watts, Annelie Wilson finished with six kills on .222 hitting and added five digs, while Gracie Vohs contributed five kills and three digs. Mia Walsh and Nora Waddoups each added three kills, with Waddoups recording hers on five errorless swings for a .600 hitting percentage.

Idaho State continued to utilize both setters, with Kadence Marsh leading the Bengals with 17 assists and Waddoups adding 12. The duo helped Idaho State finish with 31 assists on 37 kills as the Bengals improved their offensive efficiency in each successive set.

While Watts carried much of the offensive load, Idaho State's defense proved to be the difference.

Aspen Boice delivered another strong performance from the back row, collecting a match-high 19 digs. Boice accounted for nearly 40 percent of Idaho State's 48 digs, helping the Bengals limit Southern Utah to just 30 kills on .075 hitting for the match.

The Bengals were equally effective at the net, finishing with 10 total team blocks, including eight solo blocks and four block assists. Ashlyn Smith led the defensive effort with a career-high four solo blocks and a block assist, while Bella Beatty added two solo blocks. Watts and Walsh each contributed a solo block and a block assist.

"Defense once again carried us," Carter said.

Idaho State's defense proved especially effective against Southern Utah's leading attackers. The Thunderbirds finished with 22 attacking errors, while the Bengals held them below .110 hitting in all three sets.

Audrey Atwood led Southern Utah with nine kills, while Ryen Smith finished with five kills and seven attacking errors on 17 swings, hitting -.118.

The victory marked another strong response from Idaho State following its dramatic reverse sweep of Portland State. After battling through five sets Saturday, the Bengals returned to the court and handled business in straight sets, continuing their strong start to the 2026 season.

Despite the victory, Carter emphasized the importance of improving offensively and at the service line before the Bengals return to action Saturday against the only other undefeated team in the Big Sky, Utah Tech.

"We need to serve and attack much better on Saturday to have a chance," Carter said.
 

Bengal Bites

• Jaydin Watts set a new Idaho State single-match hitting percentage record at .824, surpassing Brooke Pehrson's previous mark of .812 from October 29, 2016. (Min. 11 attempts)

• Aspen Boice led all players with 19 digs.

• Ashlyn Smith set a new career high in solo and total blocks, recording four solo blocks and one block assist.

• ISU improved its hitting percentage in every set, finishing at .360 in the third.
   

Up Next

Idaho State continues Big Sky Conference play Saturday, carrying its five-match winning streak into St. George in what could be a preview of the early conference race for the Big Sky regular season crown.