As the annual Battle of the Domes approached, the Vandals sat at 3-12 overall and 0-4 in conference play. They were also on a three-game losing streak in which they hadn’t won a set.
The Vandals came out sluggish against the 9-7 Idaho State Bengals. The Bengals pounced early, jumping out to a 7-2 lead before a timeout by Idaho. The Vandals came out of the huddle and continued to struggle as Idaho State took the first set 25-13, going up 1-0.
Things needed to change for Idaho in the second set if they wanted to have a chance at winning this game. The Vandals got the spark they needed as they jumped out to a 13-5 lead, forcing an Idaho State timeout. The Vandals hot start didn’t last as the Bengals went on to score nine straight points to take a 14-13 lead. Idaho State held a 24-23 lead as they went to serve game-point. Junior outside hitter Jamie Streit riffled the ball to the other side, and Idaho had no answer. Idaho State took a 25-23 win and a 2-0 lead into the third set.
The Bengals looked to make the Vandals 1-13 in sets over their last four games, but the Vandals weren’t going down without a fight. Idaho won the third set 25-23, winning their first set in four games to keep the game alive.
Set four was a gut check for both teams as Idaho State wanted to close it out, Idaho was trying to keep the match going. The set started out back-and-forth until the Vandals held a slight lead at 18-17 before Idaho State’s experience, and Idaho’s lack of experience, really showed. Idaho State would hold Idaho to just one point to close out the game 3-1 with a 25-19 set four win.
The loss puts the Vandals at 3-13 overall and 0-4 in conference as their losing streak extends to four.
Despite the loss, some Vandals had good stat lines. Graduate student outside hitter Allison Munday had a team high 17 kills. Freshman outside hitter Olivia Gloeckner also showed out with 14 kills.
Idaho showed fight and a desire to win as they battled a much more experienced Idaho State. They will be back at Memorial Gym on Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. to take on the Weber State Wildcats.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @JaydenBarfuss10