Idaho played its second Big Sky game Saturday escaping the Sacramento State Hornets with a win in five sets.
The Vandals played a strong first set, leaving fans imagining another 3-0 victory like Idaho’s previous game against Portland State earlier last week.
The Hornet’s strong outside presence continued to hit through blocks but Idaho pushed through.
Freshman setter Hailey Pelton subbed in half way through the first, playing strongly with two aces, Idaho comfortably won 25-21.
Idaho lost its momentum after the first set leaving the Vandals looking lost midway through.
Idaho Head Coach Debbie Buchanan said that the team got very flat in the middle of the match.
“Our serving and passing just wasn’t good,” Buchanan said after the game. “We just didn’t execute the game as well as we needed to.”
The Hornets played better volleyball during the middle of the match by not making many errors, making good digs at crucial points and beating Idaho at the net.
The second set was full of long rallies with strong hits from both teams.
Senior libero Delaney Hopen led the team in defense with 35 digs, helping the Vandals stay in those long rallies..
The Hornets won the second set 21-25 and the third set 19-25, putting all momentum their way.
Idaho subbed in redshirt sophomore setter Donnée Janzen after Pelton made a few setting errors at crucial times during the third set.
“We let things [errors] get out of control,” Buchanan said. “Some of that is just our youth and not believing a ton or not mentally stringing points together.”
Buchanan said that she is confident that as the team gets more confident in what they are doing, they will get better at that and play more as a unified team.
The fourth set showed the true colors of both teams, with Idaho seemingly wanting the win more. The score was very even during the beginning of the set but the Vandals started pulling ahead during the middle.
Idaho pulled off the comeback victory in the fourth winning 25-22 staying in the match and pushing it to five sets.
“In the fifth set we really came out and played really well,” Buchanan said.
Sophomore defensive specialist Sam Swayze went on a 6-0 run serving during the beginning of the fifth set with an ace to start it off. Idaho held its ground from there, scoring consistent points and holding the Hornets at bay.
Idaho finished the fifth set 15-5 to win the match 3-2.
“A couple early wins for us is huge and now its time to go on the road,” Buchanan said.
The Vandals (2-0) are touring Montana next week to first play the Montana State Bobcats (1-1)\ Thursday then the University of Montana Grizzlies (0-2) Friday.
Connor Swersey can be reached at [email protected]