MOSCOW, Idaho—Idaho volleyball returned to Memorial Gym for the first time this season on Thursday. The Wyoming Cowgirls spoiled the opener, handing Idaho a 3-2 loss to open the Idaho Volleyball Classic.

Wyoming (6-5) came out on Thursday and forced Idaho into 35 errors on the attack. The Cowgirls played large up front, totaling 12 team blocks. Reed Copeland helped out on eight blocks for Wyoming, forcing Idaho's offense into mid-match adjustments. The Vandals totaled 10 team blocks of their own, but Wyoming was more efficient on offense with 10 less attack errors than Idaho.

"We had our chances today and let this one get away from us," head coach Debbie Buchanan said. "Hopefully the team does not like how this feels. Eventually we have to make a change. We have to start taking control of the matches when we have the opportunity."

Outside hitters Sarah Sharp and Becca Mau both enjoyed the friendly confines of Memorial Gym. Sharp led the Vandals with a season and match-high 18 kills. Mau was right behind her with 16 of her own, putting her at 500 total kills for her career. Middle blocker Torrin Crawford also finished in double figures, totaling 12 kills and a match-high .625 attack percentage.

Idaho (4-6) trailed 1-0 after dropping the first set, 26-24. The Vandals, led by Crawford and Mau, evened the match up in the second set. The two juniors combined for 11 of Idaho's 16 kills in the set. Crawford's sixth kill of the set gave Idaho set point at 24-20. Wyoming would win back the serve, but a Cowgirl error gave Idaho the 25-21 win.

Mau continued to fuel the Idaho offense in the third set. She totaled six kills in the frame, swinging .400 percent. A Terra Varney ace put Idaho in front 11-5, forcing Wyoming into a timeout. The Vandals got the next point, giving the team a 4-0 run to take a seven-point lead. Wyoming quickly got back in to the match with a 5-0 run to cut the lead to 12-10. The Cowgirls took the 17-16 lead on the heels of a 5-0 run midway through the set. Sharp stepped up for Idaho, helping the team to a 4-1 run, regaining the 19-18 advantage. Wyoming was able to tie the match late at 23, but the Vandals closed with the final two points to go up in the match, 2-1.

Wyoming took the momentum away from Idaho in the fourth set. Idaho led 16-14 midway through the set, but UW would cut the lead and then tie the set at 17. A 3-0 run from Wyoming deflated Idaho, giving the visitors the 20-17 lead. A kill from Crawford slimed the Wyoming lead to 23-20. UW would win the final two points evening the match at two sets apiece.

Wyoming out-killed Idaho 7-4 in the final set, winning the race to 15. Idaho trailed most of the set. The Vandals were able to tie the set at 11, before dropping the final four points.

Bayly Poor led Wyoming with 13 kills. Courtney Chacon totaled a double-double with 33 assists and 17 digs.

Idaho returns to action at 12:30 p.m. on Friday. The Vandals will take on Tennessee Tech, before closing the tournament against Oregon State later that night.