MOSCOW, Idaho—A win is a win, but a win against in-state rival Boise State has a much better feel to it. The Vandal volleyball team defeated Boise State in front of a ruckus home crowd Friday night inside Memorial Gym. Idaho took the match, 3-1. Seniors Jessica Hastriter and Alyssa Schultz led the way for the Vandals down the stretch.
1,391 fans witnessed the final match of the day. Friday night's crowd ranks eighth all-time in Memorial Gym volleyball attendance.
“It was amazing [the atmosphere],” Hastriter said. “The crowd was awesome. It is always such a fun rivalry with BSU. Now that they are not in our conference—it is great they can come and play us in preseason. It was awesome to beat them.”
“Tonight might have been one of the best crowds since I've been here at Idaho,” head coach Debbie Buchanan added. “They were into it, it was super exciting. Just the energy in here was outstanding. This is what we live for. To have it loud like that and to be able to get after it was pretty awesome.”
Hastriter led the Vandals with a season-high 14 kills on 36 attacks, totaling just two errors. The Boise, Idaho, native hit .333 over the four sets. Schultz finished second on the team with 13 kills on 19 attacks and zero errors. She recorded a season-high .684 hitting percentage. The 6-3 senior added eight blocks, also a new season-best, and one ace.
“I think they [Hastriter and Schultz] showed what it means to be a Vandal,” Buchanan stated. “You could not have asked for it any better—but to have our senior leading us offensively.”
Idaho (3-6) took control of the match early on with a 25-23 first-set victory. Hastriter, Becca Mau, Ali Forde and Stephanie Hagins each recorded three kills in the match. The Vandals trailed, 23-20, late in the match before Hastriter led the comeback. The senior recorded three kills in the final points, including the set-point to clinch the first game.
The Silver and Gold never relinquished the lead in the second set. Boise State clawed to within one point on two occasions. Each time the Vandals were there to turn the away. A 5-0 Idaho run midway through the set extended the Vandal lead, 21-14. It took four set-points, but a BSU service error handed Idaho a two-set lead.
“I thought offensively tonight was great,” Buchanan noted. “The one thing that broke down a little bit was our passing. If we can keep our passing in a good spot, our offense has proven itself.”
Boise State (3-5) came out determined in the third set. Maddy O'Donnell recorded seven of her game-high 22 kills in the set. O'Donnell netted the game winner, giving BSU the set, 25-21. The Vandals, not to be outdone bounced right back in the fourth set, jumping out to the early lead. The two sides played back and forth, trading the lead eight times in the final set. Idaho got down 17-15, evening the score off back-to-back kills from Schultz and Mau. BSU tied the match at 24, forcing two set-points before giving in. Mau struck the match-winner, allowing the Vandal faithful to erupt.
Jenna Ellis and Terra Varney played strong on the defensive line. The two defensive specialists finished the night with 31 of Idaho's 69 digs. Setter Meredith Coba added 13 digs of her own, a new season-best.
The Vandals play in tomorrow's second match of the day. They follow Missouri and Eastern Washington. Idaho will take on Portland at noon. Boise State and Eastern Washington wrap of the Idaho Nike Invitational later in the afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Admission to all Saturday matches is free upon presenting a football ticket at the door.
