Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 PHOENIX – Idaho dropped a pair of matches Saturday, at the Grand Canyon Classic in Phoenix. The Vandals fell in four sets to the host Grand Canyon, followed by a five-set defeat at the hands of Cal State Northridge.
 
Idaho (4-8) returns home next week to open conference play at Memorial Gym with matches Thursday against Portland State (6 p.m.) and Saturday against Sacramento State (1 p.m.).
 
Grand Canyon 3 Idaho 1
Kennedy Warren once again led the team in kills, finishing with 12.  Nikki Ball had another strong match with 10 kills while hitting .421.  Both Delaney Hopen and Becca Owen were strong defensively, finishing with 25 and 20 digs, respectively.  Hailey Pelton recorded 35 assists.
 
Grand Canyon jumped out to a quick lead in the first set and cruised to the 25-16 win.  The second set went back-and-forth early.  Grand Canyon eventually got up, 19-16, but a four-point swing by Idaho reclaimed the lead for the Vandals.  Things stayed close from there, but the Vandals close with three straight points to take the set, 25-22.
 
Set three got out to the same start as the second.  Grand Canyon would take over midway through, already up 15-14, with a 7-2 run.  Idaho responded with a 6-1 run of its own, but Grand Canyon closed from there to take the set, 25-23.  Idaho got up by as many as four in the fourth set, leading 13-9 after a 6-0 run, but Grand Canyon locked in from there to take the set, 25-20, and the match, 3-1.
 
CSUN 3 Idaho 2
Idaho controlled much of the match against CSUN, earning set wins in the first and third by wide margins, but could not pull out a victory in the tight second and fourth sets. The Matadors forced the fifth set and cruised to victory, completing their 18-25, 25-22, 18-25, 25-23, 15-7 win over the Vandals.
 
Avery Housley led the way for Idaho with 16 kills. Kyra Palmbush was effective at the net, recording 14 kills on 24 swings and adding three blocks.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho volleyball by following the team on Twitter and Instagram, @IdahoVolleyball.  Season tickets are also currently on sale at GoVandals.com/Tickets.

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.