by staff–20 Sep ’18
The Wyoming volleyball team started off its conference schedule on the right foot, dropping San Jose State, 3-0, at Spartan Gym. It marked the seventh-straight win for the Cowgirls (9-4, 1-0 MW) over the Spartans and the sixth-straight sweep.
Wyoming was able to overwhelm the Spartans on defense, recording 14 team blocks and holding San Jose State to a .018 hitting percentage—thanks in part to 26 attack errors. Six Cowgirls recorded two or more blocks, led by Jackie McBride with a career-high-tying eight and Reed Copeland with six. Sophomore Faith Waitsman recorded a new career high with five for the match. Two Pokes reached double digits in kills in Madi Fields (15) and Halie McArdle (13).
Once again, the Cowgirls led a balanced offensive attack, with six Pokes recording multiple kills in the match and four recording five or more. Senior Emily Lewis led Wyoming in kills for a fourth-straight match, recording seven along with two service aces, four blocks and five digs. McArdle was close behind Lewis with six for the match and no errors on a .500 hitting percentage. Setter Cori Aafedt led the way in assists, racking up 15.
Wyoming got off to a bit of a slow start in the first set, as the Spartans raced out to a 9-3 lead to start. As the Cowgirls settled in, however, Wyoming took control of the set by rattling off a 13-2 run to take a 16-11 lead midway through the frame. Wyoming never looked back and was able to grab the early upper hand and take the opening period with the 25-19 win.
San Jose State jumped out to another lead in the second, taking an early 7-4 advantage. From that point, the Cowgirls went on another impressive run and outscored the Spartans, 21-9, over the remainder of the set to snag the 25-16 win and put themselves a frame away from victory. The Brown and Gold was outstanding defensively in the set, racking up eight blocks and holding San Jose State to a match-low -.083 hitting percentage.
There was no slow start for the Cowgirls in what would be the final set, as Wyoming led wire to wire to clinch its first win of the new conference season. The Pokes led by as many as nine in the third frame on the way to picking up the 25-17 win.
The Cowgirls will return home this weekend to continue its conference slate, hosting Nevada at the UniWyo Sports Complex on Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at gowyo.com/tickets.
