RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Idaho Volleyball turned the tables on day two of The Joust in Riverside, storming back from a six-point hole in the fourth set to take down North Dakota in four and get back in the win column. One day after falling to Sacred Heart in five, the Vandals (5-3) leaned on a balanced attack and a dominant night at the net to bounce back and even their trip.
The Black and Gold set the tone from the outset in the opening frame, jumping ahead 13-8 behind early kills from Kiana Greer, Sophie Danielson and Allie Ferrin and a pair of service aces from Koen Makaula and Csenge Krakoczki. North Dakota chipped away to pull within 15-13, but Idaho slammed the door late, getting two aces from Kyriah Trefren and a Makaula/Greer block to close out a 25-20 opener.
The Fighting Hawks flipped the script early in the second, racing out to a 6-1 lead and forcing an early Idaho timeout. The Vandals answered emphatically. Sparked by Makaula at the net, UI reeled off a lopsided run to turn the deficit into an 18-12 cushion, with the senior supplying a kill, a block and an ace during the surge. Greer added an ace of her own, and the Vandals cruised home 25-20 to take a two-set lead.
North Dakota refused to go quietly. The two sides traded points throughout a tight third, with neither team pulling ahead by more than a couple, before the Hawks strung together the decisive swings late to steal the set 25-23 and stay alive.
The fourth looked like it might head the same way, as UND built an 18-12 advantage and appeared poised to force a fifth. Instead, Idaho caught fire. Down six, the Vandals closed on a 13-5 tear, with Greer, Sarah Sullivan and Ferrin trading kills and Greer's serving fueling the charge. The sophomore's ace knotted the set at 19, Makaula's kill gave UI the lead for good, and Gabi Smith slammed home the clincher for a 25-23 finish and the 3-1 match win.
Ferrin paced a balanced Vandal attack with 13 kills, while Sullivan and Danielson each added 11 and Greer chipped in nine. Idaho hit .193 as a team and out-blocked the Hawks 17-12, with Makaula and Smith anchoring the wall. The Vandals also served up a total of nine aces with three apiece from Greer and Makaula. Krakoczki and Zuccolo ran the offense to the tune of 22 and 17 assists, respectively. Behind them, Idaho's defense piled up 60 digs.
UP NEXT
Idaho closes out The Joust on Saturday against host Cal Baptist. First serve is set for 11:00 AM PT.
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