MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho volleyball team (1-15, 0-4) is back home this week to host conference foes, Sacramento State (10-7, 3-0) on Thursday and Portland State (9-5, 2-1) on Saturday inside Memorial Gym.

Thursday's match is set for 6 p.m. against the first-place Hornets while Saturday's contest gets underway at 1 p.m. versus the Vikings.

HOW TO FOLLOW
Idaho vs. Sacramento State // Oct. 5 at 6 p.m.
Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats
Watch: ESPN+ 
Tickets: GoVandals.com/Tickets
Theme: Throwback Thursday
 
Idaho vs. Portland State // Oct. 7 at 1 p.m.
Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats
Watch: ESPN+ 
Tickets: GoVandals.com/Tickets
Theme: Most Vandalized Fan

ABOUT IDAHO

• Idaho dropped two road matches last week at Weber State and Idaho State. The Vandals fell in straight sets to the Wildcats while suffering a five-set defeat to the Bengals. 
• Aine Doty returned to action Saturday versus the Bengals after missing two matches, posting 13 digs in her return. The sophomore libero tops the Big Sky in digs per set with 4.62 and ranks fifth in total digs with 217.
• Taryn Vrieling continues to command the Vandal attack with team highs in kills (127), points (143) and aces (14).
• Fifth-year Renata Lopez Morales leads the Vandal defense with 39 total blocks and 0.71 blocks per set.
• Setter Keelyn Muell posted her best match as a Vandal against Idaho State this past week, recording her first career double-double with a personal best 29 assists and 10 digs. 
• The 2023 season marks the 50th year of Vandal volleyball.

ABOUT SACRAMENTO STATE

• Sacramento State has opened conference play at 3-0 with wins over Northern Arizona, Portland State and Weber State. The Vikings are the only remaining unbeaten team in the Big Sky while being picked fifth in the preseason polls.
• The Hornet defense has been stellar as they rank first in the conference in total digs (964) led by senior Caty Cordano, who also tops the Big Sky with 279 of her own. 
• Sacramento State also controls the net with 169.5 total blocks, the most in the league and fifth in the nation. Seniors Tiyanane Kamba-Griffin and Kalani Hayes hold the top two spots in the conference with 79 and 74 total blocks, respectively.
• Offensively, the Hornets lead the Big Sky in team kills and total attacks. Veteran Bridgette Smith steers the offense with 186 total kills at a .203 clip.

ABOUT PORTLAND STATE

• The Vikings currently sit fourth in the Big Sky with a 2-1 conference record. Portland State most recently dropped a road match, 1-3, at Sacramento State on Friday, Sept. 29. Last Friday's loss snapped the Vikings' five-match win streak.
• Junior outside hitter Sophia Meyers leads the Vikings with 189 total kills (second in Big Sky), 26 service aces (second in Big Sky), and 3.71 kills per set (third in Big Sky).
• Gabby Hollins most recently recorded 18 kills against Sacramento State adding to her 157 total. Meyers tacked on 15 of her own to lead the Hornet attack.

UP NEXT: Idaho hits the road next week for matches at Montana (Oct. 12th) and Montana State (Oct. 14th).

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