MOSCOW, Idaho - Idaho Volleyball got back in the win column in the return to Memorial Gym for the first time in two weeks, claiming the second conference victory of the season over Portland State in a gritty effort that featured a come from behind win in the deciding set.
After a Viking kill on the opening point, Idaho went on a 5-0 run to take an early lead, fueled by a pair of kills from Sarah Sullivan, a kill from Alaina Armstrong, and a service ace from Keira Kleidon. Portland State began to narrow the gap, not allowing the Vandals to gain more than a three-point lead from there. The tally would even out at 20, and the teams would alternate points to force extras at 24-all, where a Viking kill and service ace clinched it.
As they've done often this year, Idaho caught fire in the second set, flipping the script from the first with a .286 hitting clip. Armstrong chipped in four kills and paired with Gabi Smith on a block to pile on the points for the Vandals, who held the Vikings to just .053 hitting in the period. UI had an answer for all of PSU's efforts and continued to widen the gap, closing out the set with a ten-point lead.
Fifth-year libero Kailee Wakatake opened the third frame with back-to-back service aces. After Portland State later put up one of their own to make it a 6-5 contest, Kiana Greer and Koen Makaula each put up a pair of kills as part of a 7-1 run to march out in front. The gap would narrow through the media timeout, but Greer and Sophie Danielson put it away to take UI's second set in a row.
The fourth period was neck-and-neck out of the gate, with a 7-7 tie to start out. From there, the Vikings strung together points for an 18-12 lead, but the Vandals marched back with a fury to take eleven of the next fourteen rallies, featuring four kills from Sullivan and one each from Smith, Armstrong, and Greer, the latter of whom cemented the win for Idaho with a kill and a service ace in the final two points.
Greer, Armstrong, and Sullivan put up big numbers with 14,13, and 12 kills, respectively, with Greer putting on a serving clinic with five aces, her second such effort of the season. Koen Makaula had a hand in six total blocks, while Gabi Smith and Sarah Sullivan had five each. Sophomore setter Csenge Krakoczki dished up 29 assists, and Keira Kleidon put up a match-high 23 digs, her second highest total of the year.Â
UP NEXT
The Vandals finish the weekend at home vs. Northern Arizona on Saturday, Oct. 17. First serve is set for 6:00 PM PT, and fans are encouraged to wear pink for UI's annual Spike Out Cancer night, honoring the millions affected by breast cancer around the world.Â
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