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POCATELLO, Idaho — Three sets, three identical scores. Idaho State beat the Portland State volleyball team, 3-0, Thursday night at Reed Gym, winning each set, 25-17.
 
The Bengals (16-12, 10-5 Big Sky) led early in every set of the match, while outhitting the Vikings (5-22, 4-11 Big Sky) .317-to-.105. The Vikings won the statistical battle in two categories, out-blocking the Bengals nine to seven, and recording more service aces than the Bengals, seven to six. The Vikings have 22 service aces in their past three matches, giving them an average of 2.0 service aces per set in those matches.
 
The Bengals ran out to a 16-8 lead early in the first set, and closed out the set with a 7-2 run, after the Vikings had gotten back within three at 18-15. The Vikings played their best set of the match in the first set, hitting .259 with 10 kills on 27 attacks and only three errors. The Bengals out-paced the Vikings in the set, however, hitting .467 with 17 kills on 30 attacks against three errors.
 
The Bengals opened up a 6-0 lead at the start of the second set, and extended it to an 18-8 lead with a 10-3 run that put the set out of reach. The Bengals took another 18-8 lead in the third set, after an 8-1 run turned a narrow, 10-7 lead into an insurmountable advantage for the Bengals.
 
Senior Katy Wilson led the Vikings with seven kills and seven blocks, her most blocks in a Big Sky match this season. Freshman libero Mackenzie Sullivan also led all players with 17 digs in the match.
 
The Vikings will return to the court Saturday, when they face Weber State in Ogden, Utah, at 7 p.m. (MT). Weber State will be coming off a 3-1 win over Sacramento State at home Thursday.
 
Match Notes: The Vikings fell to 34-24 all time against Idaho State with Thursday's loss…The Bengals tied the Big Sky series between them and the Vikings at 22-22 with their win Thursday…Senior Jenna Mullen had two service aces Thursday, giving her at least two service aces in four of the Vikings' last six matches.