POCATELLO, Idaho- Idaho State falls in straight sets to Wyoming on day two of the Orange & Black Classic Friday night. The Bengals were outhit by the cowgirls 49-30, while the Cowgirls also finished with a higher hitting percentage (.242 to .133).
Recap
The Bengals were unable to keep the momentum going in there second match of the tournament falling in straight sets (19-25, 21-25, 22-25). Idaho State got out of the gates slowly falling behind 7-14 early in the first. Idaho State made a late run getting as close a two points to the Cowgirls, but could not convert, falling 19-25 in the opening frame.
The Bengals began the second set playing much better ball than they had in the first. The score remained deadlocked until the Bengals grew a five-point cushion at 13-8 following a Jaydin Watts spike. The Bengals would lead by as many as six before Wyoming would make their move. Wyoming would close the second on a 14-4 run, taking set two 25-21.
Sean Carter would shake things up in the third after facing an early 6-1 deficit. The Bengals' head coach would sub in Jenna Werbelow and Claudia Antcliff. They immediately led the Bengals on a 5-0 run to knot the score up at 6 apiece. The Bengals would play the Cowgirls closely the remainder of the third, however Wyoming would grow their lead to as many as five, proving to be too much for the Bengals, as they would fall 25-22 in the final frame.
Jaydin Watts finished with a team-high in nine kills on a .421 hitting percentage to go along with four digs, three blocks, and two assists. The true freshman Mia Walsh tallied seven kills on a .286 clip. Walsh would end her evening with four digs, one block and a career-high four service aces, the most by a Bengal in any match this season. Abby McClain recorded five kills with a .214 hitting percentage, one dig, and one block. Kadence marsh led the offensive passing attack recording 18 assists to go along with her team-high 11 digs. This is Marsh's fiourth double-double of the season. It was an unusually quite night for starting setter Nora Waddoups, who was held to her second lowest assist total of the season (5). Bella Beatty put up three kills, three blocks and two assists, and Ava Brickner also totaled three kills with two blocks, one dig, and one assist.
The Bengals outblocked Wyoming 8-5, but the Cowgirls would finish with more kills, assists, and digs, while holding Idaho State to just .133 hitting on the night, the Bengals' third-worst offensive performance of the season.
Bengal Bites
Next Up
The Bengals will face Boise State in the final day of the Orange & Black Classic. You can watch on ESPN+ or follow along with LiveStats.
