FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Climbing over a mile high to kick off the penultimate road weekend of the regular season, Idaho Volleyball matched up with Northern Arizona on the Lumberjacks' home court in Flagstaff, falling in three sets at the future site of the Big Sky Tournament, the Rolle Activity Center.
Allie Ferrin stormed out of the gate and led the way for the UI offense with four kills by the first media break as the Black and Gold trailed by just a point. From there, Idaho couldn't get into a rhythm as NAU took seven straight to march out to a 22-15 lead. Despite strong hitting from Alaina Armstrong, who put up four kills in the final points to lift the visitors back into it, the Lumberjacks got the clinching point.
Northern Arizona rode the momentum into the early portion of the second set, taking seven of the first eight rallies and a 9-3 lead to start out. Undeterred, the Vandals controlled the net and forced the hosts into a series of errors to climb back into it, and a Gabi Smith block had UI down just two at the media timeout. Seniors Armstrong and Sarah Sullivan steered the offense into a 21-all tie after being down as many as six in the frame. A Smith kill gave the Vandals the set point, but three straight from the Lumberjacks stole it back.
The final period belonged to NAU. After a 3-3 tie that featured Armstrong's eighth kill of the night, the 'Jacks took a lead they would not relinquish, controlling the net and holding Idaho to a negative hitting clip in crunch time. An ace and a block on the part of the home team put the final tally on the scoreboard.
UP NEXT
UI will stay on the road, traveling to Portland State in the Rose City for a Saturday night matchup at 7:00 PM. The Vandals captured a 3-1 win over the Vikings when the latter came to Moscow earlier in the month.
TICKETS
Vandal Volleyball is in the midst of one of the greatest seasons in recent history. To secure your tickets to one or more of the final four home games of the season, click this LINK.
