LEWISTON, Idaho – For the first time since 2007, Lady Argo volleyball beat Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, winning 3-1 (16-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-20) against the #24 Warriors. The Lady Argos took a full set to knock off the rust caused by two days of travel, but once the team got going, they were too much for LCSC to stop.
 
Errors and strong net defense from the Warriors plagued the Lady Argos in the first set, with LC State making quick work of UGF. The Lady Argos hit for a minimal 0.080 hitting percentage in the first period with 8 kills and 6 errors in 25 attempts.
 
Whatever wasn't working in that first set got corrected in the second, and UGF redshirt-sophomore outside hitter, Korie Milan, caught fire. Milan finished set 2 with 6 kills to lead the Lady Argos to a confidence building 25-16 win in the set.
 
With the score tied at 1-1, the third set was likely to be the deciding factor in the match and it was Lewis-Clark State that looked prepared to take control early in the set. The Warriors scored the first three points, two of which came from Milan attacking errors, and maintained that lead up until the score was 7-4.
 
An LC State service errors and then a ball handling errors kick started a run of four straight points for UGF. The teams when back and forth from there but another kill from Milan with the score tied at 16 apiece gave the Lady Argos the lead for good.
 
The Warrior's defense began focusing so much on Milan that it opened up the court for the rest of the UGF hitters. While a number of Lady Argos took advantage of the situation, no one did more so than senior captain Madison Wilhelm.
 
Usually drawing the full attention of an opposing defense, Wilhelm enjoyed having an equally effective running mate at outside hitter. The senior tallied 5 kills in the third set and four more in the third on her way to leading UGF in kills for the sixth consecutive match.
 
The fourth set was equally hard fought and was the most versatile offensively for UGF. Not only did Milan and Wilhelm continue to play well, but the team also results multiple kills from Maya Kiruluta, Mariah Diaz, Tiffany Marks and Josee Pendleton.
 
Another important factor for the Lady Argos was the play of junior setter Dani Norling, who saw significant playing time for the first time in weeks and played well both defensively and running the offense. Norling finished with 19 assists, just behind starting setter Bree Davis's 20, and 7 digs along with one service ace.
 
Wilhelm finished with 14 kills and a team leading 16 digs, making it her ninth match of the year leading the team in both kills and digs. Milan wasn't far behind in kills, with 12 of her own and 3 block assists.
While UGF was out blocked in the match, the team made up for that defensively with strong passing and reception from its backline. The Lady Argos also had one of their best serving days with 9 total aces.
 
The win ends a two game skip for the Lady Argos and brings UGF's record to 8-10 (2-3). The team will look to pull closer to the .500 mark with a home match against Montana Tech on October 7 at 7 p.m.