Weber State University Athletics
Tuesday, October 5
Ogden
6:00 p.m.
Weber State University
10-5,5-0Big Sky
3
vs
0
Idaho State
6-11,2-3Big Sky
1
2
3
F
Idaho St.
19
18
12
0
Weber St.
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Robert Casey
Wildcats Open Rivalry Week in Style, Sweep Idaho State
10/5/2021 8:22:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
It was a wonderful start to rivalry week for Weber State Volleyball as they swept the visiting Idaho State Bengals 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-12) and improved to 10-5 (5-0) on the 2021 season.
The two teams ebbed and flowed in the early portions of the first set, with neither side able to gain any serious control. It was the Wildcats, however, who went on a scoring run that saw them score nine out of ten points towards the end of the first set and propelled them to win the set 25-19.
The second set almost seemed like a carbon copy of the first. An early power struggle, followed by a WSU run and a late Bengals rally. Despite the rally by the young Idaho State group, Weber State was able to maintain its composure and take the set 25-18, and extend its match lead to 2-0.
In what proved to be the final segment of play, the Wildcats ran away with the third set 25-12, and finished off an impressive sweep of Idaho State.
The win extended a few different streaks for the Wildcats. It was WSU's fifth consecutive victory over the Bengals, its tenth consecutive win in Big Sky play dating back to the 2020-21 spring season, and it was the 22nd straight time that the 'Cats reigned victorious at Swenson Gym.
Offensively, Weber State was led by senior superstar Sam Schiess, who hit an absurd 11 kills on 16 swings with no errors. In search for an adjective fitting of Schiess' impeccable performance on the evening, head coach Jeremiah Larsen pondered, "What can I say about (Schiess)? She is one of the better players in our league. She's a competitor and she did a really good job tonight."
Rylin Adams, Emma Mangum, and Dani Nay all pitched in with eight kills each to give the Wildcats one of their most balanced offensive performances of the season. Ashlyn Power collected 27 more assists and moved into sole possession of fifth place on the Big Sky Conference career assists leaderboard with 5,057.
When asked for his thoughts on the match, Larsen proudly stated, "It was a steady game from start to finish from us. We handled their serve well and it's a tough serve." He continued and said, "They have a tough defense and we executed the game plan against them."
In regard to his own teams' defense, Larsen's squad once again out blocked its opponent (8.0-2.0), with Baylee Bodily and Nay leading the charge and taking part in three block assists each.
"We've been working hard," Larsen said of his team's blocking effort. "I think (Bodily)'s doing a nice job defensively for us and her totals are showing that."
Next up for the defending conference champions is a clash of the undefeated Big Sky titans. Northern Colorado, the same team that the Wildcats have played in the last two Big Sky Conference championship matches, will make its way west to Ogden on Thursday evening. It will be a black out match and Wildcat fans are encouraged to wear black in support of the team. There will also be a poster give away to the first 150 fans, and players and coaches will be available for autographs after the match. A small amount of Weber State blackout shirts will be given to the first fans to arrive at Swenson Gym for Thursday's 6:00 matchup.
Tickets to the biggest match in the conference thus far this season can be purchased online or by calling Weber State's ticket office at 801-626-8500.
Make sure to follow Weber State Volleyball on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up to date with everything happening with your Wildcats.
The two teams ebbed and flowed in the early portions of the first set, with neither side able to gain any serious control. It was the Wildcats, however, who went on a scoring run that saw them score nine out of ten points towards the end of the first set and propelled them to win the set 25-19.
The second set almost seemed like a carbon copy of the first. An early power struggle, followed by a WSU run and a late Bengals rally. Despite the rally by the young Idaho State group, Weber State was able to maintain its composure and take the set 25-18, and extend its match lead to 2-0.
In what proved to be the final segment of play, the Wildcats ran away with the third set 25-12, and finished off an impressive sweep of Idaho State.
The win extended a few different streaks for the Wildcats. It was WSU's fifth consecutive victory over the Bengals, its tenth consecutive win in Big Sky play dating back to the 2020-21 spring season, and it was the 22nd straight time that the 'Cats reigned victorious at Swenson Gym.
Offensively, Weber State was led by senior superstar Sam Schiess, who hit an absurd 11 kills on 16 swings with no errors. In search for an adjective fitting of Schiess' impeccable performance on the evening, head coach Jeremiah Larsen pondered, "What can I say about (Schiess)? She is one of the better players in our league. She's a competitor and she did a really good job tonight."
Rylin Adams, Emma Mangum, and Dani Nay all pitched in with eight kills each to give the Wildcats one of their most balanced offensive performances of the season. Ashlyn Power collected 27 more assists and moved into sole possession of fifth place on the Big Sky Conference career assists leaderboard with 5,057.
When asked for his thoughts on the match, Larsen proudly stated, "It was a steady game from start to finish from us. We handled their serve well and it's a tough serve." He continued and said, "They have a tough defense and we executed the game plan against them."
In regard to his own teams' defense, Larsen's squad once again out blocked its opponent (8.0-2.0), with Baylee Bodily and Nay leading the charge and taking part in three block assists each.
"We've been working hard," Larsen said of his team's blocking effort. "I think (Bodily)'s doing a nice job defensively for us and her totals are showing that."
Next up for the defending conference champions is a clash of the undefeated Big Sky titans. Northern Colorado, the same team that the Wildcats have played in the last two Big Sky Conference championship matches, will make its way west to Ogden on Thursday evening. It will be a black out match and Wildcat fans are encouraged to wear black in support of the team. There will also be a poster give away to the first 150 fans, and players and coaches will be available for autographs after the match. A small amount of Weber State blackout shirts will be given to the first fans to arrive at Swenson Gym for Thursday's 6:00 matchup.
Tickets to the biggest match in the conference thus far this season can be purchased online or by calling Weber State's ticket office at 801-626-8500.
Make sure to follow Weber State Volleyball on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up to date with everything happening with your Wildcats.
Team Stats
ISU
Weber
Kills
26
39
Errors
22
13
Attempts
93
99
Hitting %
.043
.263
Points
30
55
Assists
25
32
Aces
2
8
Blocks
2
8
Game Leaders
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
2
Blocks
0
Kills
8
Aces
2
Blocks
3
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
OH/L
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOPP
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballWeber State vs. Portland State
Friday, October 31
Weber State Volleyball In-Depth | Episode 18: Kaylie Ray
Wednesday, October 08
Weber State Volleyball In-Depth | Episode 17: Jayda Tupea
Tuesday, October 07
Weber State vs. Idaho State | 10-3-25
Friday, October 03