(University of Wyoming release)

The Wyoming Cowgirl Volleyball Team (12-7 overall, 2-3 MW) remained unbeaten at home as they defeated the Boise State Broncos (8-8 overall, 2-4 MW) in three sets (25-17, 25-20, 26-24), on Thursday night in Laramie.

Sophomore Bridget Shanahan led the way for the Cowgirls with ten kills, four blocks and a .600 (10-1-15) hitting percentage. Kayla Henderson recorded 11 kills, while Erin Kirbyadded nine kills and a team high seven blocks. Libero Becky Stewart finished with 14 digs and Rachel Keyes followed with ten digs and 38 assists. Wyoming hit .284 (50-17-116) for the match and out blocked the Broncos, 8-5.

Boise State was led by Alyssa Gammel, Brittany Reardon and Sarah Horton with nine kills each. Hannah Hubbard finished with a team high 12 digs followed by Casey Rose with ten. The Broncos hit .165 (37-18-115) for the match.

"We did play a good match and did some nice things right out of the gate," said head coach Chad Callihan. "I was pleased with the effort and we are starting to diversify our offense and have some other players step up and do some things. We had several players with solid matches offensively, so it didn't allow Boise to key in on anyone in particular to stop.

"It's been fun to watch Bridget's game evolve this season. She's always had the big arm, but is still trying to figure out how to have a complete game. She's doing some nice things and it was great to watch."

The teams traded points traded points until Boise State scored two straight to go up 4-2. The Cowgirls evened it up and then the score went back and forth over the next four points. With it all tied up at six all, Wyoming scored the next five of seven to take their first lead 11-9. An attack error and service error by UW evened up the score at 11. Four straight points by the Cowgirls including three kills by Bridget Shanahan put them ahead, 15-11. After a Boise State timeout, a kill by Sarah Horton ended the run and the Broncos would go on a small run to close the gap to two, 18-16. The Cowgirls responded with five unanswered to increase the lead back to seven, 23-16. They would score the final two of three points to take the first set, 25-17.

Neither team could gain any momentum in the early part of the second set as it was all even at six. Started by a kill byKayla Henderson, the Cowgirls scored three points to go up 9-6. Boise State answered with a 5-2 run to tie up the score at 11 all. A block assist by Kirby and Shanahan put UW up one, but it was quickly answered with a Bronco point. The score went back and forth until a kill by Kirby started a 6-2 run to give them a 22-18 lead. Wyoming would allow Boise State two more points as Wyoming won the second set, 25-20, to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

The two teams were all even through the first ten points until a small run by the Cowgirls put them up 8-5. Boise State responded with five unanswered to give them a two-point advantage, 10-8. A kill from Henderson out of a Wyoming would spark a run by Wyoming and help them regain a 13-12 lead. The Broncos scored the next seven of ten to take a three-point lead, 19-16. After a UW timeout, the Cowgirls rallied with four points to make it 20-19. The Broncos tied it up on the next point and then the scoring was back and forth. Boise State seemed to gain the upper hand by earning set point, 24-23. The Cowgirls answered with three straight kills by Slofkiss and Reese Plante to close out the set, 26-24, and the match 3-0.

Wyoming will wrap up the week against the Utah State Aggies, on Saturday, Oct. 12. The match is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. Bring your football ticket and get into the match for $5.

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