Boise State Drops Back-to-Back Volleyball Matches
The Broncos fell in five sets to Washington State and Gonzaga after taking early leads in both contests.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Volleyball
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Boise State women's volleyball dropped consecutive 3-2 matches against Washington State and Gonzaga this week. The team lost both contests despite winning the first two sets in each match.
Why it matters
Coach Shawn Garus cited team inexperience and communication as key hurdles, while Kendall Hastings noted struggles with defense and blocking. Players also dealt with a case of food poisoning throughout the week.
Boise State lost both matches 3-2 after securing the first two sets in each, with the fifth sets ending 15-8 against Washington State and 15-13 against Gonzaga.
The players
Shawn Garus
He is the head coach of the Boise State women's volleyball team.
Kendall Hastings
She is a member of the Boise State volleyball roster who analyzed the team's defensive performance.
The details
The Broncos were unable to maintain their momentum after strong starts, as both opponents fought back to win three consecutive sets to clinch the victories. The team performance was hampered by internal physical setbacks and defensive inconsistencies during the week.
Timeline
October 15, 2026: Boise State lost to Washington State.
October 17, 2026: Boise State lost to Gonzaga.
October 22, 2026: Boise State plays Utah State.
Season Trajectory
These losses impact the Broncos' standing within their competitive schedule and force a mid-season reassessment of defensive rotations. The team now looks to regain form against Utah State to improve their position for the remainder of the season.
The team must improve its blocking and defensive communication before the upcoming match against Utah State to avoid further stagnation in the standings. Fans should monitor the injury report following the recent food poisoning incident that affected the roster.
The takeaway
Maintaining focus through all five sets is essential for reversing the current trend of late-match collapses. The team will need to resolve their defensive gaps and health issues quickly to remain competitive in the coming week.
What happens next
Boise State is scheduled to compete against Utah State on October 22, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on the team's progress, visit the Boise Volleyball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Arbiter.
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