The Idaho volleyball team’s losing streak continued with a 3-1 loss (13-25, 18-25, 25-18, 20-25) against Portland State Saturday at the Stott Center in Portland.
Idaho is fifth in the North Division and ineligible for the Big Sky Tournament.
Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan said the team continues to struggle on finishing sets.
“If we played like we did in game three at the start, I think it would have been a different match,” Buchanan said in a news release.
Portland State (13-9, 5-5) had five 3-0 runs in the opening set and won 25-13.
The Vikings continued their dominance in set two with an 8-0 run and a 25-18 win.
On the verge of a sweep, Idaho (7-15, 2-8) started set three with an 8-2 lead. Portland State proceeded to cut the lead down to one.
Junior outside hitter Becca Mau took the lead back with three straight kills, earning the set-winning point for Idaho.
She earned her fourth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 10 digs.
The Vandals ended set three with a team-best .34 hitting percentage.
Idaho continued the momentum into set four with two aces from freshman defensive specialist Tara Eaton.
Kills from sophomore outside hitter Sarah Sharp and junior middle blocker Torrin Crawford put Idaho up 13-6, as Portland State called timeout.
The Vikings then cut the Vandals lead to 13-11.
Idaho errors resulted in a late 5-0 run by Portland State.
A kill by Crawford tied the set but the Vandals never regained the lead and lost 25-20.
Buchanan said there are positive outcomess despite another loss.
“We controlled all of game three and most of game four,” she said “Then we let off and we are not at a point where we can do that. We need to make sure that we are really focused in on every single point.”
Idaho returns home to face Idaho State 7 p.m. Thursday in the Memorial Gym.
Luis Torres can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @TheLTFiles