SANTA CLARA, Calif.—Idaho volleyball's four-match winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Santa Clara Broncos on Friday. Idaho was plagued by a slow start but was able to keep the match competitive throughout.

"As a coach, I was a little disappointed," head coach Debbie Buchanan explained. "I do not think we really played our game. We were not the team that we have seen in practice the last few days. One match does not define who we are but we have to come out with better energy than we did today."

Santa Clara (6-4) caught Idaho early with a 5-0 open to the first set. The Vandals played from behind the entire set, chipping away at the Bronco's lead. An ace from Klaree Hobart helped Idaho in the midst of a 7-1 run to get within three of the Broncos, 18-15. Idaho used kills from Sarah Sharp, Kaela Straw and two aces from Maura Donovan to make a strong 6-0 run, tying the match late at 23 all. The Broncos closed out the final two points to escape, 25-23.

Idaho (4-5) played point for point with SCU early on in the second. Straw and Reece Carman had early tallies in the first points, playing to a 6-6 tie. The Vandals kept it tight with the Santa Clara, never getting more than two points behind in the early going. Sharp cut the deficit down to one, 9-8, with her second kill of the day. The Broncos then distanced themselves, using a 9-2 run to take an 18-10 advantage. SCU closed out the set with a nine-point cushion, 25-16.

The Vandals used another later push to comeback in the third. Idaho took a timeout out down 13-8. The team answered back with kills from Sharp and Straw to go on a 4-0 run, taking the lead 17-16. SCU fought back to go back up 18-17. Another kill from Straw tied the frame at 18. The Broncos took control from there, using a 7-1 run to close the match, 25-19.

"We got better in every set," Buchanan noted. "When you play good teams it is hard to get out of the hole. We did not start really playing until game three. We are not a young team anymore. The team knows what we need to do. We saw some good things. Don't get me wrong, Santa Clara is a good team. We missed some assignments. We just need to be better."

Idaho hit .261 percent in the third to finish the match with a .167 attack percentage. Straw and Sharp led the team with nine kills each. Haylee Mathis was three digs shy of a double-double, closing with 27 assists and seven digs. Torrin Crawford added eight kills and four blocks. Alycia Wodke led Idaho with 14 digs.

Jensen Cunningham led the Broncos with 12 kills and five blocks. Michelle Gajdka finished with 10 kills and nine digs. Kirsten Mead closed with a match-high 39 assists.

The Silver and Gold continue with the Santa Clara/San Jose State Tournament later this evening. Idaho will travel across town to take on San Jose State at 7 p.m.

"San Jose State is a good team as well," Buchanan added. "They have some bigger kids that can swing. We need to get our heads right going into tonight's match."

Live stats are available at GoVandals.com/VBStats2.