BOISE, Idaho- Idaho State volleyball opened the Boise State Classic with a hard-fought victory Thursday afternoon, defeating UNLV in four sets, 30-28, 25-21, 29-31, 25-21, inside Bronco Gym.

The Bengals improved to 3-1 on the season after navigating a match that featured 42 ties and 20 lead changes. Idaho State finished with 63 kills, 83 digs and seven service aces in the win.

The opening set immediately set the tone for the afternoon. Idaho State and UNLV battled through 14 ties and six lead changes before the Bengals finally broke through for a 30-28 win. ISU followed with a more controlled second set, putting down 14 kills while hitting .233 to take the frame, 25-21, and build a 2-0 advantage.

UNLV refused to go quietly, however, as the third set turned into another marathon. The two sides traded the lead seven times and were tied on 16 occasions before the Rebels escaped with a 31-29 victory.

Idaho State responded in the fourth. The Bengal defense held UNLV to just nine kills and a .079 hitting percentage, allowing ISU to pull away for a 25-21 win and close out the match.

Mia Walsh led the Bengal offense with an impressive all-around performance, recording 20 kills and 14 digs for a double-double. Walsh hit .260 and accounted for a team-high 21 points.

She was joined in double-digit kills by Abby McClain, who finished with 11 kills and four block assists, while Jaydin Watts put down 10 kills on .321 hitting with just one attacking error. Ava Brickner also added 10 kills as four Bengals reached double figures.

Nora Waddoups continued her strong work at setter, finishing with 45 assists, 18 digs and five kills. Waddoups hit .313 without committing an attacking error and helped guide an Idaho State offense that produced 63 kills.

Defensively, Aspen Boice matched Waddoups with 18 digs and added nine assists and two aces. Jenna Werbelow finished with 10 digs, while Claudia Antcliff added nine digs and a team-high three service aces.

Bengal Bites 

• Jaydin Watts finished with a team-high of .321 hitting percentage 

• Nora Waddoups had a season high of 45 assists 

• Abby McClain Had a Season high with 10 kills 

• Mia Walsh had a career high of 20 kills 

Next Up 

The Bengals will compete against North Dakota state in day two of the Boise State Classic. You can Stream the on YouTube or follow along with LIveStats.