MOSCOW, Idaho - Idaho Volleyball returned to the court for the first time, and for the first time without an interim tag over head coach Romana Redondo Kriskova.
With the leadership firmly in place, the new-look Vandals took the court with a fire that ignited their play. In the opening match of the tourney vs. Oral Roberts, two freshmen and a veteran propelled Idaho to an opening day win. No doubt was ever in place that they came to play as UI led by six and four at one point in the first and second sets, respectively. Comeback efforts by the Golden Eagles brought each set within five or less and forced the third to extras, but the hosts were undeterred and closed out all three, earning Idaho its first opening day win since 2019.
Freshman Kiana Greer was electric in her collegiate debut. The California native led the Vandals with both kills and digs, with 11 of the former and 14 of the latter. A well-rounded performance for the freshman also featured a block and the final serve of the third set, which ORU bobbled right up to Koen Makaula for the clinching point.Â
Chiara Gennari and Cayton White added on to the attack with nine kills of their own and, also making her freshman debut, setter Csenge Krakoczki led both teams with 32 of the Vandals' 34 assists.Â
Returning to action in the final match of the night, the Vandals took on Cal State Fullerton, who had just lost to Portland, 0-3, in contest #2 at noon.Â
In a back and forth showdown, both teams traded the first four sets of action, with White topping her nine-kill effort from the morning with a game-high 17. Kiana Greer also one-upped her impressive debut with twelve kills and four service aces. Krakoczki added another 27 assists to her total, but the Titans came out on top in the fifth set.Â
FINAL NOTES
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Kiana Greer wrapped up her first day of collegiate action with one of the more impressive freshman statlines in the conference, totaling 23 kills, five service aces, 25 digs, and a solo block.Â
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Cayton White stands as the team leader in kills after day one of the season with 26 kills.
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Csenge Krakoczki started both outings at setter and finished the day with 59 assists and three blocks
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Friday's win over Oral Roberts marks the first season opening win for Vandal Volleyball since 2019. A win over Portland on Saturday will mark the first 2-1 start to a season since 2020.
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Athletes seeing their first regular season action in a Vandal uniform were Kailee Wakatake, Sarah Sullivan, Gabi Smith, Kiana Greer, Koen Makaula, Kyriah Trefren, Cayton White, and Csenge Krakoczki.
Idaho returns to action Saturday at 1:00pm vs. Portland for the final match of the tournament. The day will commence at 10:00am with Cal State Fullerton facing off against Oral Roberts.
FOLLOW THE VANDALS
To stay up to date with Idaho Volleyball, follow the team on Instagram(vandalvolleyball), X(IdahoVolleyball) and visit govandals.comÂ
