POCATELLO, Idaho- The Bengal volleyball team completed two home matches this week. Taking on Northern Arizona University and Northern Colorado.
In the match versus Northern Arizona, we saw the Bengals sweep the Lumberjacks, winning 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-13). Sadie Bluth and Jamie Streit led the way for the Bengals in this one, finishing with 9 kills apiece. Aliyah Sopo'aga led the way in assists, finishing with 23. On the defensive end of the floor the Bengals had another great showing, led by the Sopo'aga twins, Aliyah finishing with 14 digs and Asiah with 12. Idaho State also dominated at the net, outblocking the Lumberjacks 10-3, led by Marci Richins (4), Sadie Bluth (3), and Asiah Sopo'aga (2).
For the second match on the week the Bengals took on the reigning Big Sky champs, Northern Colorado. In this match the Bengals fought hard all match, and proved that Bengals are better than Bears, defeating UNC in four sets (20-25, 25-23, 29-27, 25-20). It was a great performance all around in this one as Jaydin Watts led the way in kills with 12, followed right behind by Sadie Bluth and Jamie Streit who both had 11. Aliyah Sopo'aga tallied 39 assists on the evening, and on the defensive end for Idaho State Asiah Sopo'aga finished with 11 digs and Lily Liekweg had 10. The Bengals outblocked the Bears in the match 16-2, behind a historic performance at the net from Marci Richins, who tied the Idaho State single-game solo block record, set by Renee Webster in the 1984 season, with nine solo blocks. The Bengals as a team finished with 14 solo blocks, tied for 5th most team solo blocks in a single game in school history.
After the 2-0 weekend the Bengals are now winners of three of their last four matches and move to 6-14 on the season and jump to 4-5 in conference play.
Idaho State volleyball will be back on the road for their next two matches, facing off against rivals, the Idaho Vandals on Thursday, October 26th at 7 p.m. and Eastern Washington on Saturday, October 28th at 3 p.m.
