With momentum on the Idaho volleyball team’s side, the Vandals earned their fifth straight win by defeating the Weber State Wildcats 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-18, 25-21) Thursday at Swenson Gymnasium in Ogden, Utah. The win puts Idaho’s Big Sky Conference record at 6-3 and 9-12 overall.
Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan said the team fought hard against a tough Weber State team.
“We played really well and we were able to pull it off at the end,” Buchanan said. “Our middles got going in game three … that really opened our outside and allowed us to score some points and I thought we did a great job in our serving.”
Sophomore outside hitter Becca Mau led Idaho in kills with 19, equaling her career best. Mau also earned 19 against Western Carolina Sept. 18.
Freshman middle and outside hitter DeVonne Ryter surpassed her best hitting percentage of .692 at Montana State Saturday by ending the night against Weber State with a perfect 1.000, the highest for the Vandals among players who earned a minimum of 10 kills.
Ryter accomplished this feat by earning 10 kills in ten attack attempts without committing an error.
Other Vandal leaders included senior defensive specialist Jenna Ellis with 14 digs and senior setter Meredith Coba earned 30 assists.
Buchanan said the team still has some adjustments to be made before playing Idaho State Saturday.
“(We need to) just execute our passing game and stay more balanced,” Buchanan said. “If we can pass the ball and run our middles, it will put us in a good position and will help open up some things from the outside.”
Idaho plays conference rival Idaho State 6 p.m. Saturday at Reed Gym in Pocatello to wrap up its four-game road trip. The Vandals lost to the Bengals in a 3-0 sweep last Oct. 25 at the Memorial Gym.
Buchanan said Idaho will continue to battle and work as a team without major concerns as the Vandals have seven regular season matches remaining.
“The kids are in great spirits, they’re working hard, we’re doing some great things,” Buchanan said. “It hasn’t really been like we’ve been on the road, it’s just one game at a time. We have to work and execute. We’re gonna have a chance to practice and work on some things and get ready for Saturday.”
Luis Torres can be reached at [email protected]