POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho volleyball team battled back to force a fifth set against Idaho State, but the Bengals prevailed over the Vandals, 14-25, 25-22, 10-25, 25-23, 9-15 on Saturday afternoon at Reed Gym. 

Outside hitter Taryn Vrieling led the Vandal attack with 13 kills and five digs. Freshman setter Keelyn Muell posted her first career double-double in the defeat, recording 29 assists and 10 digs. 

The Bengals took the opening set, 25-14 to go up 1-0 early. The Vandals were unable to get going offensively as they hit .081 while Idaho State held stern at the net with four blocks. A pair of 4-0 runs by Idaho State boosted their advantage to 13-4, which Idaho was unable to battle back from. 

 Idaho responded with a second-set victory (25-22) to even the match. The Silver and Gold posted 13 kills, three aces and hit .225 to earn the set win. It was all Idaho to start as they built a 6-2 lead early and eventually used a 5-0 run to make it 13-8. The Bengals tied it at 15-15 but another 5-0 spurt by the Vandals garnered enough separation to hold off Idaho State. 

ISU retook the advantage with a win in the third set, 25-10. The Bengals took a large lead to begin the set and Idaho couldn't catch up as Idaho State forced the Vandals to hit -.094. 

The Vandals won the fourth set, 25-23 to tie it at 2-2. Idaho had six players record at least one kill, including five kills from Vrieling and three more by Taylor Brickey. The Vandals posted 15 kills, five blocks and hit .256 in route to force a fifth set. 

Idaho fell in the final set by a score of 9-15 to secure a match win for ISU. The Vandals fell behind 3-11 and couldn't find a way back in the set. 

Idaho returns home for a pair of matches against Sacramento State (Oct. 5) and Portland State (Oct. 7) next week. 

Match Leaders vs. Idaho State 
 Kills: Taryn Vrieling - 13
 Assists: Keelyn Muell – 29
 Digs: Duru Vardan – 22
 Blocks: Renata Lopez Morales – 4

--