Bengals Journey to Denver Invitational for Matches with Denver, Texas Southern, and Memphis

Idaho State Volleyball continues its non-conference schedule this week on the Denver Invitational, hosted by the University of Denver. The Bengals will face Texas Southern on Thursday, Memphis on Friday, and the host Denver Pioneers on Saturday in a three-match match within the Mile High City.

Season Outlook
The Bengals opened the season with three consecutive five-set battles at The Ridge Invitational, narrowly falling to CSUN, Cal Baptist, and Pacific. Despite the 0-3 begin, Idaho State demonstrated depth and resilience, pushing every opponent to the restrict. Entering the second weekend of non-conference play, the Bengals goal to transform shut matches into victories. Junior exterior hitter Jaydin Watts, the Big Sky Preseason MVP, and senior Meline Shulikov, a Preseason All-Conference Team choice, proceed to anchor the squad. They are supported by redshirt junior Marci Bell, sophomore libero Jenna Werbelow, and junior defensive specialist Chloe Heimlicher, whereas a robust freshman and redshirt freshman class is already contributing useful minutes.

By the Numbers (via Sept. 1st)

• Record: 0-3 (all five-set matches)
• Attack Percentage: .215
• Kills Per Set: 10.00
• Blocks Per Set: 3.20
• Digs Per Set: 11.60

Players to Watch
Meline Shulikov leads Idaho State with 31 kills on .186 hitting, averaging 2.07 kills per set, and 12 whole blocks, whereas additionally being 2^nd on the staff in digs, with 22. Jaydin Watts follows intently behind with 30 kills on a Big Sky Conference main .490 hitting share, averaging 2 kills per set, and including 15 blocks, whereas Marci Bell has contributed in some ways for the Bengals, totaling 24 kills on a .279 hitting clip, and a conference-leading 26 blocks (1.73 per set). Freshman setter Nora Waddoups has paced the offense with 53 assists (5.30 per set), whereas Sydney Hess and Kadence Marsh add depth on the setter place. In the again row, Jenna Werbelow has tallied 44 digs (2.93 per set) to guide the Bengals defensively.

Quick Scout

• Texas Southern – The Tigers open their 2025 marketing campaign on the Denver Invitational, bringing a recent roster to the match. 
• Memphis – Off to a 3-0 begin, the Tigers characteristic Amanda Hardt averaging 4.36 kills and 5.18 factors per set. Setter Madelyn Bach directs the assault with 9.60 assists per set, whereas Zaniah Hoskins provides 2.64 kills and a couple of.91 digs per set. Memphis is hitting .227 as a staff and has held opponents below .100.
• Denver – The host Pioneers (1-1) bounced again from a loss at USC with a five-set win at LMU. Genevieve Lewis leads the assault with 25 kills (3.13 per set), whereas setter Ilayda Eren averages 4.50 assists per set. Denver is averaging 10.25 kills and a couple of.38 blocks per set via its first two matches.

How to Follow

Looking Ahead
Following the Denver Invitational, Idaho State will journey to Boise, ID for the Boise State Invitational on Sept. 11^th -13^th the place ISU will tackle the University of San Francisco, Utah Tech, and Boise State.

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