After working through its season openers last week with two wins, Idaho hopes to continue momentum this Thursday and Friday to play the Montana State (1-1) and the University of Montana (0-2).
Opener Recap: The Vandals (2-0) have improved since the start of the season. The preseason was brutal — 12 games in four weeks against very good teams.
Idaho defeated Portland State and Sacramento State. While they are undefeated to this point, the season is still very young, much like the team dynamic.
Idaho Head Coach Debbie Buchanan said the team is still working on building trust and communication skills.
During play against the Hornets, Idaho had to come back from many errors. While down 1-2, the team played a strong game in the fourth and fifth sets and took the win, but those errors almost cost them the game.
Senior outside hitter Delaney Hopen sets the ball in the Sacramento State game on Saturday at Memorial Gym. Saydee Brass | Argonaut
Hopen at Libero: Senior outside hitter Delaney Hopen wore the libero jersey during their first two games and led the team’s defense. In just two games, Hopen racked up 56 digs to keep Idaho in some long rallies.
Hopen does not just lead the team in defense, but she is an all-around leader on the court as a very vocal and supportive teammate.
Montana State University:
The Bobcats are currently 1-1 in conference and 5-6 for the season. Their Big Sky debut was against the
Montana Grizzlies, who they beat in three sets. They then played Northern Colorado, who beat them in three sets.
The Bobcats have a relatively old team with only three freshman players. Junior setter Allie Lynch has racked up 413 assists this season and is the only setter the Bobcats have played.
Their offense is pin heavy — utilizing their middles seldomly for hitting, but their middles are not strangers to blocking at 6-foot-2-inches and 6-foot-4-inches.
University of Montana: The Grizzlies have been having a tough season so far, with only one win for the entire season and going 0-2 for conference play to this point.
The Grizzlies have only won a total of four sets this entire season, losing 0-3 in 11 of their matches so far. The Vandals’ fast paced offense, strong outside presence and ability to shut down the net should make quick work of the Grizzlies.
Freshman middel blocker Kyra Palmbush hits the ball over the net as two Sacramento State blockers line up on Saturday at Memorial Gym. Saydee Brass | Argonaut
Who to watch for: The Vandals have quickly shown their fans who they need to pay attention to. Freshman middle blocker Kyra Palmbush is one of those players. Palmbush made her way to the top with her strong hits and net presence.
Sophomore outside hitter Kennedy Warren is leading the team’s offense for conference play with 31 total points in two games and a .317 hitting percentage, the best on the team.
Where/when: Idaho will take on the Montana State Bobcats 6 p.m. Thursday and the University of Montana Grizzlies 5 p.m. Friday on the road.
Connor Swersey can be reached at [email protected]