Idaho Stays Tied For 1st In Division

Idaho rallied from an early deficit to post its seventh Big West volleyball win, 6-15, 15-9, 15-1, 15-11 Thursday over North Texas in Denton, Texas.

The Vandals (13-11, 7-4) swept the season series from the last-place Eagles (6-20, 1-10).

Jessica Moore recorded her fifth straight double-double for the Vandals, slamming a teamhigh 12 kills along with 10 digs. She also led the team with five blocks and a .421 attack percentage.

“If you win easily the first time around, you always have to guard against letting down,” Idaho coach Carl Ferreria said. “I intentionally try to prepare my players better for an opponent we’ve already beaten. But we didn’t respect North Texas well enough and that’s a direct reflection of the first game.”

The Vandals, who are tied for first place in the Eastern Division with Boise State, hit .305 for the match, compared to the Eagles’ .173.

Shalyne Lynch, a sophomore who was originally gone for the season after experiencing headaches, dizziness and double-vision in mid-September, returned to play for Idaho and made her presence felt.

“She was very, very rusty,” Ferreira said of Lynch. “She’s missed a tremendous amount of time and development with our team, but she definitely helped tonight.”

The Vandals had to overcome a 7-2 deficit in Game 4 as well. Down 11-10, Idaho reeled off five unanswered points to claim the victory.

Aubrey Short led the Eagles with 12 kills and five blocks. Nerak Dickerson added seven kills and 12 digs, both career highs, in her first start for North Texas.

EWU sweeps Montana

The Eagles traveled to Missoula and made short work of the Montana Grizzlies 15-10, 15-10, 15-11.

Eastern ran its record to 9-1 in the Big Sky Conference and 18-3 overall. Montana fell to 4-19 overall and 2-8 in conference play.

Kim Exner and Lacey Coover combined for 24 kills and Toni Schwinn piled up 38 assists to pace the Eagles. Lynn Robison had a team-high 16 digs.

Montana was led by the 10 kills of Paige Merritt. Holly Horn had a game-high 17 digs.

The Eagles have a 1-1/2-game lead over second-place Cal State Northridge.

, DataTimes MEMO: Changed in the Spokane edition.