Guest Writer

ISU Sports Information: ISU competes in Omaha The Bengals finish 2-1 to open their season

ISU volleyball player prepares to hit the ball
Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics

Haley Harrison

Idaho State volleyball split their season opening day with a 3-1 win vs. University at Albany and a 3-0 loss to Nebraska-Omaha on Aug. 30 in Omaha, Nebraska.

UAlbany

The Bengals went four sets vs. University at Albany. They took the first two sets, 25-22 and 25-21, while dropping the third, 26-24, to the Great Danes. Idaho State came back with a strong finish in the fourth set with a 25-13 win. Senior Haylie Keck led the Bengals with 20 kills, four aces, and a .333 attacking percentage to score a total of 24.5 points for the team. Sophomore Raegan Steiner followed with 11 kills while junior Chelsea Vaughan led the team in assists with 35.

Nebraska-Omaha

Idaho State fell to Omaha 3-0 in their second match of the tournament.  Senior Haylie Keck led the team with eight kills followed by senior Brooke Pehrson who had seven kills and two blocks. Redshirt sophomore Kaia Rhodes recorded three blocks.  Junior Chelsea Vaughan totaled 24 assists. Sophomore Mahala Bradburn had 15 digs.

“I liked the way we competed today,” Head Coach Sammi Stuart said. “I think there are some things we need to improve on with regards to our process. Each play, each point, each match is mutually exclusive from the next so you have to be dialed in on the play you’re in. It seemed like we got caught up in the cognitive phase of the game instead of just playing simple volleyball. We learned a lot and have a short turn around time. I look forward to competing tomorrow against Abilene Christian and see if we can hone our process a little better.”

ISU player spikes the ball over the net
Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics

Abilene Christian

Volleyball concluded the Nebraska-Omaha tournament with a 2-1 record after defeating Abilene Christian 3-1 on Aug. 31 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Junior Aubrie Steiner led the team with 12 kills and 18 digs for a .365 attacking percentage. Senior Haylie Keck had 11 kills followed by senior Brooke Pehrson with 10 kills for a .375 attacking percentage, two blocks, and two aces. Junior Chelsea Vaughan recorded 36 assists, two blocks, and one ace in the match. Sophomore Mahala Bradburn totaled 15 digs and senior Kayla Ledezma totaled 13.

Idaho State dominated the first two sets, 25-15 and 25-14. The third set was a close 25-22 drop to Abilene Christian. The Bengals fought through the fourth set and come out on top, 25-21.

“I liked the way we competed today,” Head Coach Sammi Stuart said. “We learned how to stop some runs and get on runs of our own. Our goal was to be good in the play we are in and see what happened.”