COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – Idaho State volleyball put the finishing touches on a perfect weekend at the Air Force Tournament Saturday afternoon, sweeping host Air Force, 25-20, 25-18, 25-23, inside Cadet East Gym.
The Bengals improved to 7-2 on the season with their fourth consecutive victory, completing a 3-0 weekend in Colorado with wins over Tennessee Tech, Little Rock and Air Force. Idaho State controlled the match at the net, finishing with 11 total blocks while holding the Falcons to just .103 hitting.
Idaho State came out firing in the opening set, recording 16 kills on .256 hitting. The Bengals never trailed in the frame and used their early advantage to take the opener, 25-20.
The Bengal defense took over in the second. Air Force was limited to 10 kills against 11 attacking errors, finishing the set at -.021 hitting. Idaho State capitalized to pull away for a 25-18 victory and take a commanding 2-0 lead.
Air Force provided its strongest push of the afternoon in the third, as the teams battled through nine ties and four lead changes. The Falcons hit .225 in the frame, but Idaho State answered with 15 kills on .238 hitting. With the set and match hanging in the balance late, the Bengals found the final points they needed to close out the Falcons, 25-23, and secure the sweep.
Jaydin Watts capped another impressive weekend with a dominant performance in the middle. The senior led Idaho State with 11 kills on .421 hitting, while adding eight total blocks, including two solo stuffs. Watts finished with a match-high 16 points.
Ava Brickner was equally efficient offensively, putting down 10 kills with just one error on 21 swings for a .429 hitting percentage. Abby McClain added nine kills and three block assists, while Annelie Wilson chipped in six kills and nine digs.
Nora Waddoups and Kadence Marsh once again shared the setting duties, combining for 34 assists. Waddoups led the Bengals with 20, while Marsh added 14 assists, six digs and Idaho State's lone service ace.
Defensively, Aspen Boice anchored the back row with a match-high 20 digs, while Mia Walsh added 11. Idaho State finished with 60 digs as a team and forced Air Force into 27 attacking errors across the three sets.
Bengal Bites
- The Bengals have won four consecutive matches.
- ISU finished the Air Force Tournament 3-0.
- Jaydin Watts recorded 11 kills on .421 hitting and a match-high eight total blocks.
- Ava Brickner finished with 10 kills on .429 hitting.
- Aspen Boice led all players with 20 digs.
- Idaho State totaled 11 blocks and held Air Force to .103 hitting.
Up Next
Idaho State opens their home schedule with the return of their home tournament, the Orange & Black Classic. The Bengals will begin on Thursday, September 17th at 7 p.m. against the University of the Pacific inside Reed Gym. Idaho State's next match will be the following day, Friday, September 18th at 6 p.m. against Wyoming, and the Bengals will cap off the Orange & Black Classic with a match against the Boise State Broncos on Saturday, September 19th at 2 p.m. In a rematch of the 5-set thriller in Boise that saw the Bengals come out on top on Saturday, September 5th.
