MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho volleyball team will begin their second week by heading north for Spokane to compete at the Gonzaga Tournament (Sept 1-2). Idaho will face UC San Diego, Gonzaga and Air Force as a part of the two-day invitational.
The Vandals begin tournament play with a matchup against UC San Diego on Friday at 3 p.m. before rounding out the trip with two matches in one day against host Gonzaga at 10 a.m. and Air Force at 3 p.m.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Idaho vs. UC San Diego // Sept. 1 at 3 p.m.
Live Stats:
SIDEARM Stats
Idaho at. Gonzaga // Sept. 2 at 10 a.m.
Watch:
ESPN+
Live Stats:
SIDEARM Stats
Idaho vs. Air Force // Sept. 2 at 3 p.m.
Live Stats:
SIDEARM Stats
ABOUT IDAHO: Idaho started their season 1-2 after posting a commanding sweep over UC Riverside to wrap up the opening weekend at the Vandal Volleyball Invitational last week. The Vandals' dominant effort over the Highlanders included a season-high .352 hitting percentage while holding their opponent to hit .157. Attackers
Aubrey Nielson and
Zuzanna Wieczorek made every swing count, as Nielson hit .625 and Wieczorek posted .533 to help lead the Vandals to its first victory of 2023. Following tournament play, middle blocker
Renata Lopez Morales and libero
Aine Doty were named to the Vandal Volleyball Invitational All-Tournament Team. Lopez Morales did a little bit of everything in the opening weekend, posting a .389 hitting percentage, 16 kills, 12 digs, six blocks and three aces. Doty was exceptional in the back row, leading the team with 43 digs over the weekend.
SCOUTING UC SAN DIEGO: The Tritons opened with a strong start to the 2023 season with a 2-1 overall record, coming off of the Bulldog Brawl with wins over Fresno State (3-1) and Kent State (3-1). Big West Second Team honoree Ava McInnes is one of 12 players to return this season for the Tritons. After week one of play, setter Lauren Brooker was selected as Freshman of the Week and middle blocker Emily McDaniel was named Defensive Player of the Week by the Big West Conference. Friday's matchup will be the first time the two programs have met.
SCOUTING GONZAGA: The Zags started the season 1-2 coming off of a 3-0 win over Purdue Fort Wayne and a pair of losses to Oklahoma and Ball State. Idaho looks to continue its success against the Bulldogs, as they lead the all-time series 24-13. The two last met in 2017 at the Grand Canyon Tournament, where the Vandals swept the Zags.
SCOUTING AIR FORCE: Air Force kicked off the season at home going 2-1 with wins over both Rhode Island (3-0) and Bryant (3-1) and a narrow five-set loss to UT Arlington. Following a stout defensive performance in the opening week, the Falcons rank ninth in blocks per set (3.29) and sixth in assisted blocks (63) in the country. Junior middle blocker Mac Russ looks to build off her opening week success after tying a program record with 14 total blocks against UT Arlington. Joining Russ in the middle is senior Joi Harvey, who entered the season as a preseason All-Mountain West team honoree. Saturday's contest marks the first time the two programs will meet.
UP NEXT: The Vandals travel to Illinois for a two-day SIUE Volleyball Tournament next weekend (Sep. 8-9). Idaho will face the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Western Illinois University and SIUE.
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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