MOSCOW, Idaho - The University of Idaho volleyball team is making a habit of sweeping opponents at home as the Vandals defeated Utah State Saturday in Western Athletic Conference action for their third-consecutive 3-0 victory at home.
After falling behind 24-20 in set one, Idaho (11-11, 7-3) rallied to score six-straight and never looked back in a 26-24, 25-19, 25-19 victory. The Vandals have won their last four overall matches and all four matches at home this season. Utah State fell to 12-11, 3-7 with the loss and remained winless on the road in six WAC contests.
Sarah Conwell tallied 15 kills and 13 digs for her 10th double-double while Alicia Milo totaled nine kills and a .389 hitting percentage and Kelsey Taylor finished with seven kills and four blocks. Debbie Pederson also notched seven kills and added six blocks while Meredith Rice totaled 17 digs and Janelle Chow added 10 digs. Katie Tribley finished with 33 assists, eight digs, four kills, and two blocks.
As a team, the Vandals totaled 45 kills and hit .224 while holding the Aggies to 34 kills and a .085 hitting percentage. Idaho finished with 59 digs after totaling 30 in the first set while Utah State finished with 41. The Vandals also held an 8.5-6 advantage for blocks.
The first set saw 10 ties and five lead changes before the Aggies earned set point at 24-20. Idaho got back-to-back kills from Conwell and Pederson before a service ace from Rice prompted a Utah State timeout. The Vandals were then the beneficiaries of three-consecutive Aggie attack errors for the comeback victory.
Idaho never trailed in set two and the scored was tied twice at 2-2 and 3-3. Idaho led 12-10 before rattling off six-consecutive points and nine of 10 to build a 19-11 margin. Utah State cut the lead to 21-15, but Idaho held on for the 25-19 victory.
Utah State opened the third set with a point, but Idaho scored the next six to take a lead they would not relinquish. Idaho's largest lead came at 15-7 before the Vandals cruised to a 25-19 set victory.
Idaho remains at home for two matches next week. The Vandals face Gonzaga Tuesday (Oct. 27) and New Mexico State Thursday (Oct. 29) at Memorial Gym. Both matches begin at 7 p.m.
