MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho volleyball team will open the 2023 campaign inside Memorial Gym, hosting the Vandal Invitational, Aug. 25-27. The tournament field consists of North Dakota State, Seattle University and UC Riverside. 

The Vandals kickoff match play on Friday against Seattle U at 2 p.m. for the first match of the season. Saturday features a matchup against North Dakota State at 2 p.m. before Idaho finishes out its first week of competition with a Sunday morning matinee against UC Riverside at 11 a.m.

HOW TO FOLLOW 
Idaho vs. Seattle U // Aug. 25 at 2 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+ 
Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats

Idaho vs. North Dakota State // Aug. 26 at 2 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+ 
Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats

Idaho vs. UC Riverside // Aug. 27 at 11 a.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats

ABOUT IDAHO: Five members from last year's roster return for the Vandals, including three contributors who combined to play in 76 matches. Second-year outside hitter Taryn Vrieling looks to build off a successful first season after leading the Vandals in kills (270), points (309), kills per set (2.78) and points per set (3.09). Defensively, Idaho will lean on libero Aine Doty to hold it down in the back row. She returns after leading the team with 354 digs a season ago. After competing in 53 sets and 20 matches, sophomore Taylor Brickey will look to add depth on the outside. 

Idaho welcomed 13 newcomers ahead of the 2023 season, which includes nine freshmen and four transfers. The Vandals' roster is built around international talent from Mexico, Poland, Turkey and Spain. Fifth-year transfer Renata Lopez Morales looks to lead this young core after spending the last four seasons at Eastern Washington. The Mexican National team member competed in 81 matches and compiled 433 kills and 181 total blocks.     

SCOUTING SEATTLE U: Seattle U finished 4-18 overall and 0-14 in conference play last season, missing out on the Western Athletic Conference tournament. Head coach Michelle Cole enters her fourth season at Seattle U. Leading the charge for the Redhawk defense is returning middle blocker Marley Hardgrave, who looks to build off a freshman season that included the fifth most solo blocks (15) in a single-season SU history. Libero Katlyn Sipes returns to the lineup after finishing 10th in the WAC in average digs per set at 3.46.

SCOUTING NORTH DAKOTA STATE: North Dakota State was chosen to finish second in the Summit League preseason poll after coming off a 21-12 (13-5 Summit) overall record and advancing to the semifinals at the Summit League Championship tournament. Senior outside hitter Ali Hinze and senior setter Kelley Johnson were named Players to Watch after both being named 2022 All-Summit League. Johnson was also voted Summit League Setter of the Year after ranking eighth in the nation with 1,342 assists and averaging 10.57 assists per set. Hinze powers the Bison offense after posting 446 kills and a team-high 3.63 kills per set. 

SCOUTING UC RIVERSIDE: UC Riverside looks to bounce back after posting a 4-25 overall record and 2-18 conference mark in 2022. The Highlanders return nine members from last season's roster and 11 newcomers. 

UP NEXT: The Vandals head north to Spokane to compete in a two-day tournament at Gonzaga University next weekend (Sept. 1-2). Idaho will compete in three matches against UC San Diego, Gonzaga and Air Force. 
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho volleyball by visiting GoVandals.com or by following the team on Twitter and Instagram, @IdahoVolleyball. 

Single-game and season tickets can be purchased online at GoVandals.com/Tickets or by calling the box office at (208) 885-6466.

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