POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State volleyball continued its red-hot start Wednesday night, sweeping Pacific 25-12, 25-19, 25-17 in the Bengals' home opener inside Reed Gym.

With the victory, Idaho State improved to 8-2 through its first 10 matches, tying the best 10-match start in program history. The 2026 Bengals join the 1978, 1982 and 1987 teams as the only Idaho State squads to open a season 8-2.

The win was also Idaho State's sixth consecutive victory, and the Bengals did it with one of their most complete offensive performances of the young season. ISU put down 44 kills with only 11 errors on 99 attacks, hitting .333, while holding Pacific to .135. The Bengals added nine service aces and eight total blocks.

"I just thought we were as good as we've been offensively," Head Coach Sean Carter said. "We hit .333 with 44 kills on 99 swings and only 11 errors, which is pretty great."

That offense was on display immediately. Idaho State hit .419 in the opening frame, putting down 15 kills with only two errors to race past the Tigers, 25-12.

Pacific challenged the Bengals more in the second, but Idaho State's defense helped create separation. ISU forced the Tigers into 10 attacking errors and a -.065 hitting percentage, eventually pulling away for a 25-19 victory.

The Bengals finished the job with another strong offensive showing in the third, recording a match-high 17 kills on .342 hitting to take the set, 25-17, and complete the sweep. Idaho State did not allow Pacific to reach 20 points in any of the three sets.

A major piece of Idaho State's success came from its balance.

Jaydin Watts led the Bengals with nine kills without committing an attacking error on 15 swings, hitting .600. Abby McClain followed with eight kills on .389 hitting, while freshman Bella Beatty continued her strong start with seven kills and a .417 hitting percentage. Annelie Wilson added six kills, eight digs and two solo blocks.

"Our two middles, one hit .417, the other one hit .600, and we've certainly been trying to get that going," Carter said. "The fact that we're as balanced as we were, that makes us tough to stop."

For Beatty, her efficiency in the middle started with the work of Idaho State's setters.

"I have to accredit a lot of it to my setters," Beatty said. "Pretty much all I have to do is get up, and they're going to find me."

Beatty also pointed to Watts' presence as an important part of her transition into the college game.

"Jaydin's been the biggest help to me," Beatty said. "I look up to her a lot. Her attitude is always amazing, and she just has that drive that I strive to have."

The Bengals continued to get production from both Kadence Marsh and Nora Waddoups at setter. Waddoups recorded 19 assists and seven digs, while Marsh finished just shy of a double-double with 15 assists and nine digs, adding two service aces.

Marsh credited Idaho State's recent offensive success to the improvement in the Bengals' first contact.

"Our passing has definitely improved the past few matches," Marsh said. "They're getting the ball where I need it, and our hitters are scoring. They're taking their one-on-one opportunities and putting the ball down, so it's making my job a lot easier."

Carter has seen the same growth from his setting tandem.

"It gives us a ton of options because either of them can go front row, back row," Carter said. "They're both tremendous defenders, and they're both really understanding where we want to go with the ball at certain times."

Idaho State's improvement defensively was on display as well. Aspen Boice led the Bengals with 11 digs, while Marsh added nine, Wilson eight and Waddoups seven. The Bengals totaled 46 digs while continuing to turn defensive stops into offensive opportunities.

"We're picking up so many more balls that we just didn't last year," Marsh said of Boice. "The more we can pick up balls off the floor, the more we can get our offense going."

The combination of improved floor defense, offensive balance and efficient passing has helped Idaho State turn a 2-2 start into a six-match winning streak. Now sitting at 8-2, the Bengals have matched a mark reached only three previous times in program history through the first 10 matches.

"We've been playing really well," Marsh said. "We've been passing and we've been working on the things that we need to work on. So, not focusing too much on who's on the other side of the net, but definitely focusing on how we're playing."

Bengal Bites

• Idaho State's 8-2 record ties the best 10-match start in program history, joining the 1978, 1982 and 1987 teams.
• The Bengals have won six consecutive matches.
• ISU swept Pacific 25-12, 25-19, 25-17, holding the Tigers under 20 in all three sets.
• Idaho State hit .333 with 44 kills and only 11 attacking errors.
• Jaydin Watts recorded nine kills without an error, hitting .600.
• Bella Beatty finished with seven kills on .417 hitting.
• Kadence Marsh totaled 15 assists, nine digs and two aces.
• Idaho State recorded nine service aces and eight total blocks.
• Aspen Boice led the Bengal defense with 11 digs.

Up Next

Idaho State returns to Reed Gym Thursday night to take on Wyoming at 6 p.m. The Cowgirls enter the matchup after defeating Boise State in five sets Thursday, setting up another early-season test for the 8-2 Bengals.

"We're going to have to play great team defense and block and dig and serve and do all the things behind it," Carter said. "I'm really looking forward to stepping up to the challenge."

You can watch the match on ESPN+ or follow along with LiveStats.