The Boise State women’s volleyball team claimed first at the Boise State Classic, sweeping its first two games at ExtraMile Arena last weekend before falling in the third, and bouncing back after a rocky showing at the Bulldog Invitational the week before.
“We came out with great intentions,” head coach Shawn Garus said in a press release. “We got a lot of production from a lot of different players … That’s a total team effort. It’s a recipe that our team used to embrace, and our secret to success.”
Boise State’s opening match of the tournament marked the first match played in ExtraMile Arena since 2002, and the 3-0 sweep against North Dakota State was head coach Shawn Garus’ 300th career victory
Idaho native Sydney Dreves chipped in five spikes beginning the start of her stand-out weekend. She led her team in kills for the fourth time this season before recording her first double-double of the season later in the tournament. After recording 19 kills and 10 digs in the final match, the sophomore was named tournament MVP.
“Emotions are really high for us right now,” Dreves said. “Our mentality on the team is ‘we all made it here.’”
Kendall Hastings continued this mentality with two blocks helping to close out the set 25-16.
After a slow start in the second set, a killshot from Azlynn Tittmann sparked a run, pulling the Broncos forward to secure set two, 25-20. Beginning with an eight-point advantage in the third set, Dreves finished the job by slamming her 12th kill of the night, sealing a 25-16, 3-0 sweep.
Garus credited the win to Dreves’ on-court energy.
“Sydney had a great night tonight and she’s a spirited warrior out there,” Garus said after the match. “She led her team not just in her play, but actually with her voice as well.”
Friday’s match began as a tight back-and-forth before the Broncos established their pace, eventually winning the first set 25-20.
“Our ball control was really good, serving and passing, which led to our setters running as good as an offense as I’ve seen yet this season,” Garus said.
The Broncos carried that momentum through sets two and three, overwhelming UNLV with kills, drives and blocks, firing from all angles.
Hastings, Dreves and Tittmann launched one kill after another as sophomores Reese Weinert and Giselle Paedon controlled the net, dominating 25-19 in the second set. Hastings came in hot with an instant killshot in set three as her team followed her lead with 12 additional kills. She continued to show her authority on the net, leading with two blocks beside Dreves, Hansen, Tittmann and Weinert.
In an impressive, fast-paced match, Hastings noted the difference in tone.
“Our team has really been focusing on just playing Boise State volleyball and really controlling the things on our side of the court,” Hastings said. “People have just been really stepping up — a lot of freshmen and younger classmen.”
Heading into Saturday with two shutouts under its belt, Boise State’s tournament ended with a grueling five-set loss against Idaho State. Tittmann and Melia Barlow’s steady presence throughout the match earned them both all-tournament honors despite the Broncos decline in momentum throughout the match.
Barlow’s defense, diving six times within the first set, played a key role in the team’s forceful 25-18 advantage.
The next two sets were a different story. The Broncos were unable to catch up to the Bengals, who created distance en route to two consecutive victories. In the fourth set, Dreves tallied four kills in five points, asserting the Broncos control. Barlow served up an ace to bring home a 24-23 set for the Blue and Orange as an attack error on the Bengals sent the match to a fifth set.
The final set was a hard-fought battle. As Idaho State slowly controlled the score, the Broncos fell 15-12 without a way back in.
With 25 tied scores and nine lead changes in the match, the Bengals emerged on top, 3-2.
After securing first place in the tournament with three honors among the team, coach Garus is looking ahead to the changes needed for future successes at home.
“This team needs to find balance,” Garus said. “We need a lot of people playing well to be successful.”
Boise State will face Sacramento State tonight, at 6 p.m.
