Sept. 15, 2009

Match Notes: Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado

Pocatello, ID--Idaho State looks to snap its four game losing streak as the Bengals head into Big Sky Conference Play continuing its fourth week on the road. Idaho State (4-5) will return to Arizona for the second time this season as they open Big Sky Conference play in Flagstaff at Northern Arizona (3-6) on Thursday, September 17 at the Rolle Activity Center at 1 p.m. The Bengals will finish the weekend at Northern Colorado (6-5) on Saturday, September 19 at 7 p.m. in Greeley at the Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion.

Live stats can be found at www.nauathletics.com for Northern Arizona and at www.uncbears.com for Northern Colorado. Video Coverage for both events is provided by B2TV. Fans can access video footage by going to www.b2tv.com ten minutes prior to the event to register and receive free access. A direct link to ISU games can be found on the right hand side of the ISU athletics home page (www.isubengals.com). B2TV will provide free video access to all Big Sky Conference volleyball games upon registration.

The Bengals average 11.87 kills as a team, 1.45 blocks, 1.73 aces and 12.7 digs and 11.07 assists per set. ISU is ranked sixth best in kills and first in aces per set in the Big Sky. Last week the Bengals fell to #15 Southern California 3-0 and Utah Valley 3-1 at the Wolverine Invitational. USC was Idaho State's first ranked opponent for the season and the Bengals had numerous positives from the match-up including a double-double performance by Emily Waldron with 12 kills and 10 digs. She also recorded her 1,000 career point against the Trojans. She earned her second All-Tournament Team Honors for the season at the Wolverine Invitational leading the Bengals in kills in both contests and averaging 3.86 kills and 2.14 digs per set.

Junior Britta Bartschi-Rhodehouse has been leading the Big Sky Conference in aces per set and with the first rankings from the NCAA coming out for games played through September 13th, Britta has been placed in the rankings. She is ranked 15th in the NCAA as she averages 0.58 aces per set. She helps brings the Bengals average up to a 1.73 average placing them 46th in the NCAA for aces per set and leading the Big Sky. Currently, Britta holds the match high for aces in a four set match when she recorded five against South Dakota State. As a team the Bengals set the match-high for a four set match posting 12 aces against the Jackrabbits.

Idaho State is one of four teams to compete in the first Big Sky Conference match of the season on Thursday as Northern Colorado (6-5) hosts Weber State (1-9) and Northern Arizona (3-6) hosts Idaho State (4-5) at 7 p.m. Eastern Washington and Montana State join Idaho State as the three schools who have not hosted a competition at their home court this season. However, Eastern Washington will crack first as they host Montana on September 18th. Montana State, like ISU, will have to wait until September 25th for its first home contest. Montana State will host Montana at 7:00 p.m., which will begin a five-match home stretch. ISU will only host two matches before returning to the road.

Northern Arizona posts a 3-6 record this season opening with a 3-1 victory over Boise State. It's only other victories were over Florida Gulf Coast and Citadel, the team's first 3-0 win. NAU posts a 1-2 record at home having played their last three matches at home. They are 1-3 in three set, 2-1 in four set and 0-2 in five set matches. The Lumberjacks are averaging a .165 attack percentage and are allowing their opponents a .267 percentage. They are equal with their opponents averaging 13.47 digs per set. NAU posts 1.46 blocks per set. In kills the Lumberjacks are led by Lexi Sullivan. Libero Anna Gott leads the team with 4.65 digs per set. Gott was recently named to the Fiesta Bowl All-Tournament Team.

The Lumberjacks lead Idaho State 28-26 in the series. Northern Arizona defeated ISU twice last season to bring the series out of a tie. The Lumberjacks first overcame ISU at home in straight sets, and squeaked out a win on the road as they overcame ISU 3-2 ending the Bengals chance of attending the Big Sky Conference Tournament. The last time ISU beat NAU was a 3-2 finish at home in 2006.

Northern Colorado leads the Big Sky Conference with a 6-5 record opening their season much like the Bengals as they started with three straight wins. UNC is coming off a 3-0 loss to Iowa State in the Iowa Hawkeye Challenge. Northern Colorado finished third in the Big Sky last season and return six starters and 12 lettermen from that squad. UNC is 4-2 in three set matches. They leading the Big Sky Conference with a .231 hitting percentage. On the attack UNC is led by Kenzie Shreeve who posts 3.03 kills per set.

Northern Colorado leads the series 11-1. ISU's only victory was a 2-1 contest on September 23, 1982. UNC is currently on an eight-game match win streak against the Bengals.