CORVALLIS, Ore.—Idaho volleyball opened the season Friday morning at the Beaver State Classic. The Vandals dropped the opening match of the tournament the host, Oregon State, 3-0.
The morning began with both teams trying to shake off the offseason cobwebs. The Beavers got out to an 8-2 start to the set. The Vandals put together a solid 7-1 run to fight back get back to within one point at 14-13. OSU recovered with a 6-0 push, gaining a 20-13 lead. Idaho and OSU finished the set with 11 kills each, the difference in the set was the errors. Idaho committed eight in the set, helping Oregon State to the 25-17 win.
"We were able to put together some good runs," head coach
Debbie Buchanan explained. "We just have to keep working on containing our frustrations. We need to be able to take our frustrations out on the next play. That is when we have to execute the game-plan. Overall, it was a start. Obviously, it was not how we wanted to start the season but if we can make adjustments and figure out who we are, that is what it is all about."
Kaela Straw's sixth kill of the match put Idaho down 7-6 early in the second set. The Vandals were able to keep pace with the Beavers early on in the frame. Two 3-0 runs for the Beavers helped create a little separation between the two sides, putting OSU in front 13-8. The Vandals were able to shortly shift the momentum back, cutting the lead to 17-13 off a Straw kill and an ace from
Haylee Mathis. A late 4-0 push gave OSU set point at 24-16. Idaho fought off two Beaver clinchers, finishing the set at 25-18.
Oregon State came out fast out of the intermission, post an 8-3 start. OSU hit .519 percent in the third, making it difficult for Idaho to get any kind of momentum. A 7-0 spurt all but sealed the match for the home team, giving them a 24-9 advantage. One final Idaho error capped off the match, 25-10, for the Beavers.
Straw helped lead the Vandal offense in the early sets. She totaled seven of her eight kills before the intermission.
Sarah Sharp closed the match with a team-high nine kills. Mathis recorded her 10th career double-double leading Idaho in digs (12) and assists (28).
Coach Buchanan shifted the lineup from the first set to the second.
Klaree Hobart stared the day at the libero position before giving way to
Alycia Wodke in the second set.
"We went ahead and made the switch at libero to see what the difference is between the two," Buchanan added. "Klaree and Alycia have been really close in training camp. I think that Alycia kept up and made some plays. Both players bring different things to the lineup. I think that is going to be a constant competition throughout the whole year."
Mary-Kate Marshall led Oregon State with 14 kills and 12 digs, while Kory Cheshire added 10 kills to Beavers' effort.
The team is back in action tomorrow with a doubleheader against Kansas State and Pacific. The first match with K-State is set for 10 a.m. Idaho will wrap up its stay in Corvallis at 4 p.m. against the Tigers.
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho volleyball by following the team on Twitter and Instagram, @IdahoVolleyball.
For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com. Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals.
