Austen Hunzeker
Reporter
The Bengals beat the Weber State Wildcats at a home game on Friday, Oct. 11th, for the first time since 2017, putting them at 4-1 in Big Sky Conference play. The match that took place at Reeds Gym at 7 p.m. that night was packed with student Bengals and supporters that boosted the team’s morale throughout the night.
ISU’s band, cheer team, and dance team were also in the gym cheering on their lady Bengals and getting the crowd moving.
The Bengals, who prior to the game were sitting at 3-1 in the conference play, put up a fight in their five-set win. Despite these efforts and the cheering crowd of around 300 representing in orange, the first set went to the Wildcats at 25-17.
The Bengals quickly made up for lost time and took over the second set with 25-20. Both the lady Bengals and Wildcats were set on pursuing the other as each team delivered multiple kills and withheld steady rallies, audibly encouraging their teammates in the process. The third set was fueled by the crowd’s roar, the audience growing especially excited when the Bengals scored 20-10. The third set ultimately went to ISU with 25-16.
The fourth set was close as both teams continued to score back and forth, pining for their win. The Wildcats overtook the set with 25-21. The tension in the gym was noticeable, as the fifth set would be the determining factor of the match.
Much to the crowd’s dismay, the Wildcats began the fifth set with intensity, quickly gaining six points. With the score being 8-5 in the Wildcat’s favor, the Bengals managed to catch up with five consecutive points, putting the score at 10-8 as observing Bengals made their excitement heard.
Even as the Wildcats attempted to make one final push ahead, the Bengals won the set at 15-11, winning the match at 3-2. The last time the lady Bengals beat Weber State at home was on Oct. 14th, 2017. The team kept its title as the nation’s top blocking team, with a total of 11 blocks in the match. Sadie Bluth’s 16 kills were also noted, with sophomore Jaydin Watts accruing 12 kills.
“I thought the game went great for us tonight,” Aliyah Sopo’aga, senior and ISU Volleyball setter, said following the match. “You know, we’re down in the fifth set, but our coach got the crowd to get riled up, and I think we kind of fed off of their energy as well as our coaching staff. It was a great environment overall and super fun to be able to play with that kind of crowd.”
Sopo’aga went on to say that all of her teammates played a vital role in their success against Weber.
Many supporters also took to social media during and following the match, commenting statements like “What a game,” and even a direct comment on Sopo’aga by Holly Cortez stating, “Such a master setter on the court. She sees opportunities that most don’t even consider.”
Following this big win, the lady Bengals upgraded to 4-1 in the Big Sky Conference play, and they remain a top contender in the conference. Their next match is scheduled for Oct. 17th in Cheney against the Eastern Washington Eagles.
