April 19, 2008

Pocatello, ID --- Idaho State's volleyball team hosted the ISU Spring Volleyball Tournament at Reed Gym on Saturday, and the Bengals went 3-1, defeating the College of Idaho, Westminster, and Northwest Nazarene in their final three matches after dropping their opener to the College of Southern Idaho.

The Bengals lost to CSI 30-32, 23-25 (the teams played under the new college scoring rules of 25 point games, but best two-of-three sets, instead of the usual best three-of-five). ISU then rebounded to take out the College of Idaho 25-23, 25-23, and then Westminster as well. ISU drilled the Golden Griffins in game one 25-11, but to Westminster's credit, they bounced back for a 25-20 win in game two, forcing a third game, which ISU won 15-11. ISU then defeated NNU 25-20, 25-17.

The Bengals played the tournament under Associate Head Coach Mika Robinson, who was just named the head coach at Berry College, an NAIA school in Georgia close to her family. "Overall, I was very pleased with our on floor communication and aggressive style of play," said Robinson "Both of which we have really stressed throughout the spring." While no official stats were kept, Robinson singled out the play of several Bengals.

"As libero, Jenna Proost really controlled the court with her passing and floor defense, and Emily Waldron and Paige Palmer rounded out a back court that consistently kept us in system. That made it much easier for us to run our offense and take big, aggressive swings." Proost took over the libero slot in the spring after the graduation of last year's only senior, Katie Edgson. Robinson added that offensively, "We got some big swings by rising sophomores Charlee Kinghorn and Britta Bartschi."

Idaho State and Director of Athletics Jeff Tingey have been conducting a national search for ISU's next coach, who will take over after an eight-year stretch from former coach Mike Welch.