POCATELLO, Idaho – The University of Idaho Volleyball team defeated Idaho State, winning the Battle of the Domes match, in the second game of the series on Sunday night, 3-2. The Vandals (4,2,2-1) fell behind to the Bengals (1-4,1-4), 1-0 and then 2-1 in the match, before winning the fourth and fifth sets, securing the match win 3-2.


Kennedy Warren led the Vandals with 21 kills in the match. She also recorded a double-double with 12 kills. Peyten Ely totaled a career-high 46 assists in her first start as a Vandal. Becca Owen had 18 digs while Alaina Lacey and Warren each chipped in 12. Allison Munday, Nikki Ball and Avery Housley each chipped in 13, 12 and 11 kills, respectively.


Idaho State jumped out to a 5-2 lead to begin the first set. A kill from Kennedy Warren cut the lead to one, 7-6, but the Bengals quickly extended their lead to five, 17-12. The Bengals were in control the rest of the way, winning 25-18.

Idaho led by three early in the second set, 7-4 following a Kennedy warren kill. Idaho and the Bengals traded points until the final two points of the match. The Vandals took a one-point lead, 26-25 following a Nikki Ball kill. On the ensuing serve, a bad set for the Vandals gave Idaho the set win, 27-25.

Much like the second set, neither side could build a lead in the beginning of the third set. With the set tied 9-9, the Bengals went on a 9-3 run, building a 17-12 lead. A 6-2 run for the Vandals cut the lead to two, 20-18 following a kill from Peyten Ely. Idaho state outscored the Vandals 5-3 down the stretch, winning the third set 25-22.

The fourth set was once again a neck-and-neck battle for the two sides. Tied 23-23 toward the end, the Vandals scored two straight points. The run included a Warren kill and a Bengals attacking error, to win the set 25-23 and force a fifth set.


Neither side was able to build a lead to start the tie-breaking fifth set. Idaho State found a run late in the set and took a 13-9 advantage. Once again with their backs against the wall, the Vandals responded with a 7-1 run to close out the set. Warren's 21^st kill put the Vandals in position to win 15-14, then an Idaho State attacking error secured the win for Idaho 16-14, completing the comeback in in the match, 3-2.

Idaho State narrowly edged the Vandals in kills, 66-62. However, Idaho held the hitting percentage advantage, hitting .181 while the Bengals hit .162.
Idaho had 28 block assists in the match, led by Nikki Ball with seven. Idaho State had just 14.



UP NEXT: Idaho will take on Sacramento State next week on the road on Feb. 13, and 14, at 6 p.m. on both nights.