BOISE, Idaho (Oct. 7, 2017) – Four Cowgirls totaled double-figure kills to help Wyoming to a thrilling 3-2 victory (25-22, 25-27, 27-25, 22-25, 15-13) over the Boise State Broncos on Saturday afternoon. With the win, UW moved to 9-9 overall and 4-2 in Mountain West play. It also was the first win at Boise State for the Brown and Gold since Sept. 3, 1994.
 
The Cowgirls made a statement in the opening set behind a .361 hitting percentage (16-3-36). Despite a number of errors from Boise State in the second set, the Broncos were able to even the set score at one heading into intermission. Wyoming then came out firing early in the third set and held on for the win on way to a 2-1 set lead before Boise State took the fourth frame to move the match to a deciding set. Wyoming ended the seesaw battle with a 15-13 triumph in the final set for what is its third-straight MW win.
 
Junior Emily Lewis and sophomore Tara Traphagan each recorded 17 kills for UW, while junior Reed Copeland and sophomore Halie McArdle each posted 14 against the Broncos. A career-high 27 digs for Boise native and senior Lily Austin, and a career-best 61 assists for freshman Marissa Harmon also helped Wyoming to its first victory at Boise State in the last seven tries.
 
McArdle was second on the team behind Austin with 13 digs, while Harmon also recorded ten on Saturday afternoon. It was the fourth double-double for Harmon and second for McArdle this season. Sophomore Madi Fields also posted ten digs during the match, while redshirt freshman Jackie McBride totaled five kills against Boise State.
 
 
Set One
Wyoming cruised out to 4-1 and 6-2 leads early in the first set. Both teams had ample chances, but UW continued to take advantage to keep the momentum. A kill from Traphagan gave UW a 15-12 lead at the first media timeout. Back-to-back kills for the Cowgirls furthered their lead, 19-15, and forced BSU to call timeout. The Broncos would use a run of their own to close the gap to one, 21-20, as UW called time. But Wyoming held on to take the first set, 25-22. Traphagan and Austin led both teams with five kills and ten digs, respectively, in the opening set.
 
Set Two
Traphagan gave UW the first point in the second set as the energy continued for the Brown and Gold. Wyoming was picking up everything Boise State put down during the first part of the second frame. The Cowgirls would stay ahead until BSU tied it at ten. After trading points, a Boise State service ace put the Broncos up 15-13 at the media timeout. It came down to the wire between the two fired up and competitive teams, but Boise State's senior came through when needed to help take it in extras, 27-25. Traphagan, McArdle and Lewis each recorded three kills for UW in second two.
 
Set Three
Much like the second set, the third was back and forth to begin with. Neither team gave much away until UW used four-straight points for a 13-8 advantage. The Cowgirls seemed in control taking three in a row to further its lead, 17-11. A couple impressive digs from Boise State kept it within reach, but the Broncos were never able to mount a comeback until UW had set point. The Broncos used a 4-0 run to tie the set at 24 but the Brown and Gold used a 27-25 third-set victory to take a 2-1 set lead. Copeland and Harmon paced the offense in the third set, as Copeland had five kills, with Harmon adding 14 assists.
 
Set Four
Boise State cruised to a 7-2 lead in the fourth set, which prompted a UW timeout. The Cowgirls never faltered and kept right with Boise State throughout the set. Down 16-18, UW cut into the Broncos lead using a 3-0 run. Boise State called timeout up one, 21-20, and then back-to-back point's right out of the timeout proved to be too costly for UW. Despite a two late kills from McArdle, BSU took the fourth set 25-22. Harmon once again tallied 14 assists, while Traphagan added five kills in the fourth frame.
 
Set Five
The final set didn't disappoint as the action and intensity was shown throughout the frame. The teams switched sides with BSU leading 8-7, as neither team would hold more than a one-point lead until Boise took a 9-7 advantage. BSU had a chance to go up four, but Wyoming took two-straight to close the Bronco lead to one, 10-9. A ball handling error followed by a McBride service ace gave UW an 11-10 lead and then Wyoming closed out the match off of back-to-back kills from Lewis. She totaled five in the final frame to help seal the victory.
 
Up Next
Wyoming will return to the UniWyo Sports Complex for its next two matches. The Cowgirls will face Nevada on Thursday night, before a contest with San Jose State on Saturday afternoon.