Bengals Open 2026 Season at Shocker Volleyball Classic

POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State volleyball begins the 2026 season in Wichita this week for the Shocker Volleyball Classic Hosted by Wichita State University. The Bengal's will face Stephen F. Austin Friday morning, Missouri State Friday afternoon, and the host Wichita Saturday. 

How To Follow 

Idaho State Vs. Stephen F. Austin 

Date: Friday Aug 28th 

Time: 9:00 A.M MT 

Location: Charles Koch Arena, Wichita, Kansas 

LiveStats: isubengals.com 

Idaho State Vs. Missouri State 

Date: Friday Aug 28th 

Time: 1:00 P.M. MT 

Location: Charles Koch Arena, Wichita, Kansas 

 LiveStats: isubengals.com 

Idaho State Vs. Wichita State 

Date: Saturday Aug 29th 

Time: 5:00 P.M. MT 

Location: Charles Koch Arena, Wichita, Kansas 

Stream: ESPN+ 

LiveStats: isubengals.com 
 

Season Outlook 

The Bengal's enter 2026 with a strong momentum after finishing 13-18 overall and 7-9 in Big Sky play last season. The preseason polls had the Bengal's tied for third. Senior Middle blocker Jaydin Watts was named the 2026 Big Sky preseason All-Conference Team. Alongside veteran contributors such as Jenna Werbelow, Annelie Wilson, and Nora Waddoups the Bengal's introduce four freshmen to the dynamic. 

By the numbers (2025 season) 

Record:13-18 (7-9 Big Sky) 

Attack percentage: .193 

Kills per set: 12.3 

Blocks per set: 2.6 

Digs per set: 15.2 

Players to Watch 

Jaydin Watts (Sr., Lancaster, Calif.) - preseason All-Conference honoree, kills 257, .366 hitting, 124 blocks in 2025. 

Jenna Werbelow (Jr., Phoenix, Ariz.) - Logged 432 digs for her sophomore year. 

Annelie Wilson ( So., Horseshoe Bend, ID) - contributed 183 kills and 23 block assists in 2025. 

Nora Waddoups ( So., Rexburg, ID) - Named 2025 Big Sky All-tournament team, 976 assists,98 kills, and 37 service aces her freshman year. Is expected to have another strong year. 

Quick scout 

Stephen F Austin: 

•  The Lady jacks return three of their top five hitters from last year including their team leader in kills Katherine Holtman (312 kills) 

• SFA brings back #6 Cambry Saul who finish third on the team in Assists last year (147) 

• #11 Caroline Kahle returns to the roster in 2026 leading the team in digs last season (432) 

• The lady Jacks Bring Back both players who finished a hundred or more blocks last year for the team. #23 Kyanna Creecy led the team with (109), Jordan Henderson was second on the team with (103) 

Missouri State: 

• The bears return three of their top five hitters from last season, led by #16 Rilynn Finley finished second on the team with 256 kills 

• The bears passing game will be led by #18 Hannah Gardner who finish last year with 480 assists 

• Missouri State brings back their three leaders in digs from a season ago. #8 Brooke Eslinger finished with a team high of 343 digs in 2025 

• MSU returns their second leading blocker from last year, #7 Lexi Weinberg, who finished with 65 blocks on the season 

Wichita State: 

• The Shockers are led by #11 Sydney Dunning who led the team with 420 kills a season ago 

• #16 Jordan Heatherly returns for her senior season after leading the team with 1,020 assists in 2025 

• #23 Gabi Maas anchors the defensive back line after finishing with a team high of 393 digs last year 

• #14 Maddie Wilson will be a force to be reckoned with on the inside finishing 2025 with a team high 119 blocks 

Looking Ahead 

Following the Shocker Volleyball Classic, Idaho State heads across the state for the Boise State Classic, Hosted by Boise State University from Sept. 3-5. The Bengal's will face UNLV, North Dakota, and Boise state while there.