ISU Football moves further up FC rankings, volleyball starts conference season strong, golf with 3 top finishers
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POCATELLO — An incredible week for Idaho State athletics featured one conference road win for the football team, two conference road wins for the volleyball team, and three top-10 finishes for the women’s golf team.
In the gym
Bengal volleyball (10-4, 2-0) opened conference play last week, beating Idaho (9-5, 0-2) and Eastern Washington (7-7, 1-1), both in straight sets.
As has been the case all season, ISU got massive contributions from its trio of former Madison Bobcats in the two conference wins. Sophomore setter Nora Waddoups recorded 19 assists and one ace against the Vandals, and 18 assists against the Eagles. Freshman outside hitter Mia Walsh posted nine kills and two blocks against Idaho, and six kills and 10 digs against Eastern Washington.
Freshman libero Aspen Boice was stellar again all week, earning her second Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week award. Against Idaho, Boice recorded 14 digs, two assists and one ace. Then, against Eastern Washington, she added 18 digs and two aces.
The Bengals will be back at Reed Gym Thursday night, hosting Northern Arizona (8-6, 1-1). They’ll stay home Saturday for a mid-day matchup with Portland State (5-8, 1-1).
On the links
The women’s golf team finished second out of four teams at the Sun Mountain Invitational in Missoula, Mont., last week, with a 913 team score — 11 back of host Montana (902).
Individually, three Bengals finished the three-round tournament in the top 10.
Sophomore Kaylie Parola shot 76-74-79, for a 229 (16 over), good enough for ninth place.
Sophomore Izzy Hassebrock recorded five birdies during the tournament to finish 76-76-76 for a 15-over 228. She tied for seventh.
Junior Venus Young carded a team-leading six birdies for a 77-75-72 total score of 224 (11 over) and a tie for third place — a career-best finish.
ISU will be in Bartonville, Ill., for the Bradley Coyote Creek Classic starting this Sunday.
On the gridiron
The Bengals (4-0, 1-0) stayed perfect on the season with a 28-24 road win over Southern Utah University (1-4, 1-2). With the victory, ISU jumped from 14th to 12th on the STATS Perform FCS Top 25 rankings.
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Despite allowing a season-high 24 points, the Bengal defense led the way in victory, with several massive stops, including two takeaways inside the ISU 10-yard line. Senior Jackson Irwin led that effort, with nine tackles, one sack and one interception, earning the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The Bengals will return to the ICCU Dome Saturday to take on No. 19 Northern Arizona (3-2, 2-1). Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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