In front of a home crowd, the Idaho volleyball team wrapped up tournament play with a win and two losses Thursday and Friday at the Idaho Volleyball Classic.
The tournament started rough for the Vandals Thursday with a 3-2 loss against Wyoming (24-26, 25-21, 25-23, 20-25, 11-15).
After losing the first set against Tennessee Tech Friday afternoon, young team members helped propel Idaho to a 3-1 win (25-27, 25-12, 25-15, 25-11).
Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan said the team ran a 6-2 to a 5-1 offense for the first time this season to help sophomore setter Haylee Mathis work on hitting and playing defense.
Freshman setter Megan Ramseyer replaced Mathis in the setter role.
Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Sharp, who led the Vandals with 16 kills, said she was proud of her bench teammates.
“(The new team) all did really well,” Sharp said. “They had lots of confidence, did their job and took care of Tennessee Tech. We all know they can do it but they finally got their opportunity.”
Sophomore outside hitter Casey Kline came off the bench to earn her first two collegiate kills, including the match-winning point.
Ramseyer, freshman defensive specialist Tara Eaton and junior outside hitter Klaree Hobart also provided Idaho good numbers from the bench.
Junior middle blocker Torrin Crawford, said she was pleased with Ramseyer’s performance.
“Megan did a good job,” Crawford said. “She is a freshman so it is always a little nerve-wracking to play in games as a freshman, but you cannot tell with her. She came in and set some good balls.”
Eaton filled in for senior defensive specialist Terra Varney Fridayon . Varney was attending her sister’s wedding.
Hobart led Idaho with 22 digs and Eaton took second with 11.
Hobart ended the tournament with four aces.
The final game of the tournament ended on a low note with a 3-0 loss (25-16, 25-20, 25-16) to Oregon State.
The Beavers won all of their matches during the tournament.
The Vandals begin conference play against Montana State 6 p.m. Thursday in Bozeman.
Idaho looks to extend its win-streak against the Bobcats to 18.
Idaho’s next home matchup will be against North Dakota 7 p.m. Sept. 29 in the Memorial Gym.
Luis Torres can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @TheLTFiles