The 1-16 Idaho Vandals met with their state rival, the 13-5 Idaho State Bengals. Both teams came into the game of losses in straight sets. Vandals to Weber State and Bengals to Eastern Washington.
The Bengals got off to a hot start taking a 6-1 lead before UI called their first timeout. ISU scored a few more out of the stoppage but then the Vandals began a spurt eventually bringing the set to within two at 12-10. That would be all they could muster though as the Bengals went on a 13-3 run to close out the opening set.
The second set began with UI grabbing the first point and their first lead of the night. From the start there were five ties and four lead changes before the Bengals took over and continued their dominance. The Vandals pulled to within one about midway through, trailing only 14-13 but five points in a row for ISU immediately after had them up six before UI fought back with a few more. The middle set had a couple rallies that went long where both teams kept plays alive and they each won a couple, but the Bengals went on to win 25-20 taking a 2-0 lead.
The third set started with the Bengals getting the first five then a 9-6 run had the Vandals within two once again before ISU landed some forceful spikes UI could not handle. The Bengals grew their lead to as big as seven before the Vandals brought it back to four late making it 21-17 but ISU completed the 3-set sweep on a 4-0 run and giving UI their eleventh consecutive loss.
Taylor Brickey led the Vandals in kills with a dozen while Jamie Streit led the Bengals with 11. This was the only meeting between the two schools this season, UI falls to ISU for the fifth straight time and remains winless in Big Sky Conference Play. “One thing I appreciate is that they’re still fighting even though it’s been a tough season” stated head coach Romana Redondo Kriskova postgame.
Vandals drop to 1-17 on the year and 0-4 at home. They continue the home stand Thursday Night against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. “I think it’s going to be another battle”, assistant coach Ben Kasun said. You can catch the first serve in the Memorial Gym and on ESPN Plus at 6 p.m. It’s another special game because it will be Throwback Thursday.
You can reach Jackson Hamelund at [email protected]
