The Idaho volleyball team was one point away from winning Thursday night, but three consecutive points by Portland State sealed the game.
The Vikings edged Idaho 3-2 in Big Sky Conference play in Portland.
The sets went back and forth, as Portland State (4-13, 2-3 Big Sky) took the first, third and fifth sets, and Idaho took the second and fourth sets.
The Vandals had three players with double-digit kills. Ali Forde had 18 kills and 20 digs. Stephanie Hagins had 11 kills with a .304 hitting percentage and eight blocks. Katelyn Peterson contributed 10 kills and 16 digs. Alyssa Schultz had 11 blocks and setter Meredith Coba added 48 assists.
The Vandals (7-10, 3-2 Big Sky) continue their Big Sky road trip against Sacramento State 7 p.m. Saturday.
Portland State took the first set 25-22. Portland State and Idaho went back and forth early in the set. They were tied 11-11, but the Vikings took control with a 12-4 run to take a 23-15 lead.
The Vandals climbed back into the set and came within two points 24-22, but Lauren Nicholson finished the set off with a kill for the Vikings.
Idaho took an 8-7 lead in the second set and extended it to 13-7. The Vandals further distanced themselves when they led 22-14, but Portland State stormed back to within three points at 23-20. Two errors doomed the Vikings as they lost 25-20.
Portland State won the third set 25-16. The Vikings jumped out to a 13-5 lead and never really looked back. Idaho fought back to trail Portland State 18-13. But the Vikings ended the set on a 7-3 run.
Idaho narrowly took the fourth set 25-23. The Vandals appeared to be running away with the fourth set, after leading 10-2. The Vikings then grabbed the momentum and cut the Vandal lead to 11-8.
The Vikings tied it at 19-19 and 20-20, but the Vandals managed to force a fifth set.
The Vikings closed the match in the fifth set, winning 16-14. Portland State took an 8-4 lead. Idaho chipped away to tie it at 10 and eventually the Vandals took a 14-13 lead. But the Vikings took the next three points to win the set and the match.
Garrett Cabeza can be reached at [email protected]