The Wyoming Cowgirls volleyball team took down the Idaho State Bengals by a score of 3-1 on Saturday, giving them a perfect record through all 11 of their non-conference games. The 11-0 start is a school record by the Cowgirls.
The Cowgirls struggled a bit out the gate during the first set, finding themselves all knotted up with the Bengals by a score of 9-9, mostly due to errors on the Cowgirls side. The Cowgirls were then able to extend their lead with a quick 4-0 to make it 13-9 as they held that margin for the rest of the set and were able to secure a 25-20 win.
The Cowgirls once again went off to a slow start to the second set, as they trailed early but were able to tie the set at 10-10. This back and forth action continued through most of the set, as the Cowgirls and the Bengals kept pace with one another at 19-19. The Cowgirls would then lift themselves past the Bengals with a 6-2 run to win the set 25-21.
The Cowgirls continued where they had left off in the third set, constantly trading blows to a score of 21-21. The Cowgirls eventually found themselves up 24-23 with an opportunity to close the game out, but the Bengals were able to respond and then some as they eventually took the set over the Cowgirls by a score of 27-25.
The fourth set was much of the same, with the Cowgirls making small runs that would always be answered by the Bengals. The Cowgirls would eventually be able to get themselves over the line and win the set 25-21 and the game 3-1.
The Cowgirls were once again efficient offensively, tallying up a .345 hitting percentage with 65 kills. While the Cowgirls weren’t perfect on defense in the game, they still held the Bengals under .300 on the game as they recorded a .223 hitting percentage. The Cowgirls also held an advantage at the net, doubling the Bengals 6 blocks with 12 on the game.
Tierney Barlow again excelled, showing off her well-rounded talent with 18 kills as well as 7 blocks, leading the Cowgirls in that category. Rylee Schulz paced the Cowgirls in kills with 19 and Kasia Partyka had 55 assists as well as 13 digs. Skylar Erickson had 14 digs, leading the Cowgirls.
The Cowgirls begin their conference slate on Thursday in Logan, UT against the Utah State Aggies, with the game set to begin at 7 p.m.
