An Eastern Washington 3-0 loss against Northern Arizona and an Idaho victory against Southern Utah means the Vandal volleyball team is tied with the Eagles in the Big Sky Conference North division. Idaho defeated the Thunderbirds 3-1 (25-14, 25-14, 19-25, 25-17) Thursday night at the Memorial Gym.
Both Idaho and Eastern Washington are now 9-4 in the conference and face each other at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Memorial Gym for the Vandals’ senior night.
Idaho senior setter Meredith Coba led Idaho with 30 assists Thursday night.
Coba said the team is pushing to finish on top of the North division after Thursday night’s win.
“We need to stay consistent and stay focused the whole set,” Coba said. “We can’t let up like we did (Thursday) and have to serve tough, have big swings and just all work together and have a good night.”
Senior outside hitter Katelyn Peterson earned a double-double Thursday night, leading Idaho with 16 kills and 23 digs.
Peterson said Idaho’s passing wasn’t as strong against the Thunderbirds. She said once Idaho became focused, the Vandals turned it around after losing to the Thunderbirds in the third set.
“We did a really good job on shutting (Southern Utah) down,” Peterson said. “That was kind of our game plan and we stuck to it. We knew they weren’t going to give it to us. They are a hard working team. They always fight for points and we definitely knew that we need to bring it harder in the fourth set and come out stronger.”
Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan said Peterson made a change in the fourth set.
“She was really being patient and she was really going after it,” Buchanan said. “She has that ability to really be that all-around player for us. Once she started making big plays, that’s when everyone else gets excited. It creates energy and makes that person next to you play better.”
Coba said Idaho was refocused and ready to compete after losing the third set.
“I think we were mad about what happened,” Coba said. “We let our guard down (in the third set) and wanted to take care of business and that’s what we did.”
Buchanan said the Vandals played a little bit harder and earned more points in the fourth set.
“We had to start taking control of this match,” Buchanan said. “We had to get our middles more involved and I thought we did that. I thought we did a better job serving tough in that last game.”
In the fourth set, freshman outside hitter Kaela Straw earned six kills for the Vandals. Junior defensive specialist Terra Varney earned two straight service aces late in the set.
Sophomore middle blocker Torrin Crawford played in her first match since Sept. 26 against North Dakota. Crawford earned five kills and two blocks after entering in the third set.
Freshman middle blocker Laine Waters and senior outside hitter Tineke Bierma led Idaho in blocks with four each.
Idaho will look to get even with the Eagles after losing 3-0 Oct. 3 in Cheney, Washington.
Buchanan said Saturday’s game has big implications as the winner takes the lead in the division.
“We got to play better than the last time that we played them,” Buchanan said. “We’re gonna have to go come ready to fight.”
Luis Torres can be reached at [email protected]