The Wyoming Cowgirls volleyball team began conference play this past week and ended up dropping both of their first two games. They lost to Boise State and Utah State, both games were on the road.
Wyoming opened conference play with Boise State with a losing effort in sets of (22-25, 25-21, 16-25, 19-25). The first set started off back and forth with each team exchanging leads but a 9-2 run for Boise State gave them an 18-13 lead. The second set Wyoming were the ones to have big runs, with streaks of 8-2 and 2 straight at the end to get the set win. The third set was Boise State having big run after big run and Wyoming not being able to score. The fourth set was more of the same with the Broncos starting off with a 9-0 lead and didn’t give it up. Boise State won the match 3-1.
“I have to do a better job of mentally preparing this team for the rigors of MW play. There are nights off and we have to be ready to compete,” said head coach Chad Callihan after the game.
Senior Erin Kirby, yet again, made history becoming the Mountain West’s all-time leader in block assists with the three that she recorded in this match.
The second match of conference play was against Utah State and was also a loss in sets of (19-25, 21-25, 25-17, 25-15, 9-15). The first set had the Cowgirls getting leads of 4-2 and then 16-10, but lost it in the end with Utah State battling back to take the set. The second set had the Cowgirls in a familiar place with a 10-6 lead, but Utah State yet again fought back for the lead. Wyoming did end up with a 20-17 lead, lost it and let Utah State take a 2-0 set lead. In the third set the Cowgirls took a 10-2 lead and won the set, 25-17. The fourth set had Utah State with an 8-5 lead and had Wyoming looking out of a hole. The Cowgirls tied the Aggies and then took a 15-12 lead. Wyoming only allowed Utah State to only score 3 more points the rest of the set and won. The sets were tied heading into the fifth and final set. The Aggies went on a 6-0 run to close out the set and the match.
Junior Bridget Shanahan had a career high in blocks with 20 and also ended the match with 22 points. Sophomore Kayla Slofkiss was also in double digits in points with 14.5 and also had 14 digs. Utah State had three players that had double digits in both points and in blocks.
After these two loses the Cowgirls will start a home stand here in Laramie. Wyoming will begin with a game tonight, Oct 2, at 7 p.m. against San Diego State. Wyoming will then have a game on Saturday, Oct 4, at 2 p.m. against UNLV.
