The 21-point win in set one was the largest set victory for Idaho since the NCAA began using rally scoring in 2001.

"You can't lose your focus and I think that's hard to do," Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan said. "You have to respect your opponent all the way through. In some ways it might have hurt us later in the match because we kind of relaxed a little bit and settled back, but we were able to finish the game and fight through till the end."

After Montana State tied the first set at 3-3, the Vandals went on a tear of 10 straight points to pull ahead 13-3. MSU scored to make it 13-4 but Idaho would rally for 12 straight points to close the set. The Vandals hit .571 as a team in the first set, and held MSU to -.154.

Idaho (4-4) finished the match hitting .373, while the Bobcats (5-5) hit .069. The Vandals also finished with five blocks and seven service aces.

"We were good at the service line and I don't think they were really expecting that," Buchanan said. "We're getting better every match. Hopefully by the time we get into WAC play we're putting it all together."

Kelsey Taylor had eight kills on 11 attempts with no errors, leading the Vandals with a .727 hitting percentage. Alicia Milo led the Vandals with 14 kills and added five digs, while Allison Walker had 10 kills with no errors, and hit .667. Julia Church finished with five kills and four digs, and Rylee Walker five blocks and two kills.

Janelle Chow led the Vandals with 18 digs, Jenny Feicht had 30 assists and eight digs, and Cassie Hamilton added eight digs for Idaho.

"I think there is a different feel on the court, a different chemistry," Taylor said. "You can definitely feel it on the court. We're all just ready to fight. We definitely have a lot of toughness."

Montana State fought to keep the second set close, pulling within 13-10 before Idaho took seven of the next eight points to go ahead 20-11 on its way to the 25-14 win. The Bobcats bounced back in set three, leading 18-14 when Idaho rallied for seven straight points to take the lead for good en route to the 25-23 win.

With the win the Vandals close their three-game home stand at 2-1, and have won two straight matches after losing three in a row.

" We've had a few tough games here and there, but that is what preseason is for," Taylor said. "We're hoping to work everything out when WAC play starts, we're ready to work hard and bring it."

The Vandals will face Seattle University, Wyoming and Gonzaga at the Gonzaga Volleyball tournament in Spokane, Wash., Sept. 17-18 to wrap up non-conference play. Idaho starts Western Athletic Conference play on Sept. 23 at Fresno State.