SAN JOSE, Calif.—The Vandal volleyball team shook off their cold start to the Santa Clara/San Jose State Tournament, picking up a 3-0 sweep to close the day. Despite hitting just .133 for the match the Vandals were able to fight to a 25-22, 25-19, 27-25 win over the Spartans on their home floor.

"I am happy that we were able to come away with the win," head coach Debbie Buchanan said after the match. "Offensively, it was not our most consistent night. We did a really good job from the service line, keeping them out of system. I counted 16 blocks in three sets. That is pretty amazing."

Neither offense was able to get into a solid rhythm on Friday night. Idaho was able to gain the upper hand, outhitting SJSU .133 to .090 percent. The Vandals made up for the offensive slump with outstanding play at the net. Idaho's 16 blocks were the most since recording 19 at Portland State in a five-set win back in 2014.

Senior Torrin Crawford led the way at the net for Idaho. She set a career high with 11 total blocks. She assisted on 10 blocks, becoming the first Vandal to reach 10 block assists since Kelsey Taylor in 2010. Junior Haylee Mathis recorded six blocks from the setter position. Sophomore Kaela Straw added to the Idaho block total with five.

"Our blocking was our saving grace," Buchanan commented. "We were able to play big over the net and take them out of what they were doing. From that standpoint that was the difference in the match. Kaela had some key blocks. It was definitely a team effort. We made some key plays at some key times."

Idaho's best offensive showing came in the final set, hitting .286 percent (8-2-28) in the frame. Straw led Idaho with five kills in the set. She handed Idaho a 24-22 lead. San Jose State fought off three match-points to take a late 25-24 lead. Idaho punched back with a 3-0 run to close out the match.

The first two sets featured 14 different ties and eight total lead changes. Idaho fought back from a 10-4 whole in the first set to tie the match at 16 with an ace from Klaree Hobart. SJSU got a late 22-19 lead before Idaho used kills from Crawford, Mathis and Straw to close out the set on a 6-0 run.

Both sides were a bit shaky in the second. San Jose State was able to outhit Idaho, .050 to .000 percent. The Vandals were able to claim the 25-19 win, despite totaling only four kills. SJSU hit into 11 errors on the attack, helping Idaho maintain the advantage.

The win marks Idaho's fourth sweep of the season, the most since finishing the 2015 season with five.

"It was huge for us to be able to finish in three," Buchanan added. "The environment in there was hot, small gym and a loud crowd. The fact we could stay in it and not allow it to go into four was huge."

The Vandals will be back in Santa Clara on Saturday. The team will face No. 9 Kansas at 11 a.m. The Jayhawks defeated San Jose State in their first match of the tournament.