San Diego Block Party: Events & Guide

Boise State Volleyball Shatters Block Record in Mountain West Victory Over San Diego State

Boise State volleyball delivered a dominant performance Saturday, setting a new school record for blocks in the rally-scoring era and securing a 24-26, 25-20, 25-19, 25-20 victory over San Diego state in Mountain West Conference action. The Broncos’ impressive defensive showing propelled them into a tie for fourth place in the conference standings.

Record-Breaking Defensive Performance

The Broncos registered an astounding 21 blocks during the match, a new benchmark for the program in the rally-scoring era. This total is tied for the sixth-most in Boise State volleyball history and represents the highest block total as October 17, 1997, when the team recorded 26 against UC Irvine. The relentless net play proved crucial in overcoming a challenging first set and ultimately securing the win.

did you know? – Boise state’s 21 blocks against San Diego state were the most in a single match as 1997, highlighting a resurgence in the program’s defensive prowess.

Sharp and Bilby Lead the Charge

Redshirt freshman Eliza Sharp spearheaded the defensive effort, tying a Boise State freshman record with 11 blocks while also contributing nine kills. Sharp’s performance was a key factor in disrupting the Aztecs’ offensive rhythm. Complementing Sharp’s efforts, Ari Bilby led the Broncos’ attack with a match-high 14 kills and an impressive .429 hitting percentage. Layla Smith also made meaningful contributions, recording nine kills, hitting .276, and adding nine blocks of her own.

Pro tip: – A strong blocking game, like Boise State’s, often disrupts an opponent’s offensive flow and creates opportunities for counterattacks.

Broncos overcome Early Setback

Boise State (15-8, 7-5 MW) faced adversity in the opening set, falling behind after San Diego State capitalized on an 11-2 run to take a 15-12 lead. Despite battling back to tie the set at 18, the Broncos ultimately dropped the first frame 24-26.However, they responded emphatically in the subsequent sets.

In the second set, Boise state fell behind 12-7 before unleashing a dominant 12-2 run fueled by seven blocks, seizing control and ultimately winning 25-20. The third set saw the Broncos take an early lead following a pair of Aztec attack errors and never look back, hitting .314 while holding San Diego State to a .118 hitting percentage.The fourth set remained competitive until the late stages,but crucial kills from Smith and Bilby sealed the victory for Boise State.

Road Success and Conference Implications

This victory marks the sixth road win of the season for the Broncos. Boise State now stands tied for fourth place in the Mountain west Conference with San Diego State (12-11, 7-5) and Grand Canyon. This positions the Broncos favorably as they continue their pursuit of a top seed in the conference tournament. Notably, this win also represented Boise State’s first victory at San Diego State since fall 2021.

Reader question: – What do you think was the key to Boise State’s comeback after losing the first set? Share your thoughts!

Looking Ahead

Boise State will return home to host Wyoming at 6 p.m. on Thursday, november 6.