MOSCOW, Idaho—The University of Idaho volleyball team closed out the Idaho Nike Invitational on Saturday afternoon with a 3-1 win over the visiting Portland Pilots. The Vandals dropped the first set 25-22, before sweeping the final three sets 25-23, 25-20, 25-16.
Sophomore Ali Forde opened the match strong for the Vandals. She led the offensive charge for Idaho, recording six of her 15 total kills in the first set. Forde's 15 kills on Saturday match her career-high. Senior Jessica Hastriter, in her first start of the season, continued her strong play from Friday. The 6-foot outside hitter recorded 11 total kills for the second consecutive match. Senior Alyssa Schultz recorded her second consecutive attacking error free game. Not to be outdone, freshman Becca Mau tallied 14 kills on the day.
“I thought we had five kids hitting pretty good numbers,” head coach Debbie Buchanan said. “I think the only thing that slowed us down was our passing game. I thought our pin hitters were good along with our middles. Alyssa [Schultz] has had two perfect games in back-to-back nights for us.”
The Vandals hitters were on point Saturday afternoon. As a team Idaho finished with a season-high 60 kills, 13 errors and hitting .322 over the four sets. Setter Meredith Coba helped spread the ball around. The junior finished the afternoon with 51 assists, a new season-best. Six different Vandals recorded a kill against the Pilots. Stephanie Hagins finished the match with 10, Schultz added eight and Coba had two of her own.
“As we continue to move forward as a team you can see us progressing,” Forde commented. “We are really working well together and figuring out what roles we all play on the court. This tournament helped us realize the potential of what we can accomplish as a team.”
Idaho (4-6) held Portland to a .200 hitting percentage. The Pilots struggled from the service line recording nine errors. The Silver and Gold out-dug Portland, 66-63, and out blocked them 7-5.
Idaho finished the weekend tournament 2-1. Schultz and Hastriter were each voted to the All-Tournament team. In three matches, Schultz totaled 31 kills and one error in 56 swings. She finished the tournament with a .536 attacking percentage. Schultz also added 14 blocks and four digs. Hastriter closed the tournament with 36 kills and eight errors on 80 attacks. She hit .350 over the 13 sets, totaling eight digs and four blocks.
The Vandals are back in action on Sept. 18 against Washington State. Idaho will make the short trip to Pullman for the Washington State Tournament. The match with the Cougars is set for 7 p.m. PT. They close the tournament on Sept. 19 against Loyola Marymount.
