The beginning of the season is often a time for teams to identify and work out its kinks.
Idaho addressed some things Saturday, but more issues arose than were fixed.
The Vandals won their first match against Grand Canyon University, 3-2, but lost to University of New Mexico, 2-3, later in the day to round out the Idaho Volleyball Invitational.
The Vandals came into the day strong, riding the momentum from a three-set sweep against Santa Clara University the night before. Idaho raced out to a 21-17 lead in the first set, before a Grand Canyon timeout completely shifted momentum. The Antelopes won the first set 25-23, and the razor-thin margin would become the norm for Idaho over the course of the day.
Grand Canyon presented a unique strategic opportunity for Idaho, with only three players taller than 6-foot, compared to Idaho’s 10. The Vandals took advantage of this playing up at the net throughout the match, tallying six team blocks in the second set. Idaho took the second and third sets, but Grand Canyon forced a deciding fifth set after a 25-19 win in the fourth set.
Freshman middle blocker Kennedy Warren tips the ball against Grand Canyon University Saturday in Memorial Gym.
Senior outside hitter Kaela Straw led Idaho to victory in the fifth set, with five kills in the set and a match-leading 19 overall. Idaho won the final set 15-12, defeating Grand Canyon in an invitational tournament for the second year in a row.
Freshman middle blocker Nikki Ball made her presence felt with 10 kills and 11 block assists for her first career double-double. Senior outside hitter Sarah Sharp added 14 kills for the Vandals and senior middle blocker DeVonne Ryter contributed 10 kills and five block assists.
Idaho struggled with errors throughout the match, totaling 21 attack errors after recording only eight in their first match against Santa Clara.
Those errors would prove to be dangerous in Idaho’s second match of the day.
The Vandals dropped their matchup against New Mexico, 2-3. All but the second set were decided by a three-point margin, and the final three sets came down to the last two points. The win was New Mexico’s first of the invitational.
After relatively uneventful play for the first two sets, the two teams battled back and forth, with neither building more than a three-point lead. The set went past regulation, with New Mexico getting the final two points to take a 26-24 win.
Idaho came back from five points down to win the fourth set and force a deciding fifth, but the Lobos would not be denied and won 15-13.
Despite the loss, Straw was again a force for Idaho. She set a new career high with 27 kills and was named MVP of the invitational. Ryter made her presence felt all over the court, recording seven kills, five block assists, and four service aces.
Sharp and senior setter Haylee Mathis were also named to the All-Tournament team for their performances.
Idaho will begin a month-long road trip for with the Pepperdine/CSUN Challenge, starting Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. against Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA.
Jonah Baker can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @jonahpbaker