Here is what is happening in Boise State Athletics…
VOLLEYBALL
The Lady Broncos hosted two games in the Bronco Gym this last week with both games ending with the Broncos sweeping their opponents.
Boise State started the homestand off strong with a 3-0 sweep against Fresno State. The Broncos absolutely shut out the Bulldogs and outhit their opponents .281 to .074. In every aspect of the game, the Broncos stood out.
The Broncos had 43 kills and eight service aces, while defensively holding Fresno State to 26 kills and just one ace.
Paige Bartsch led the Broncos in kills with 12 and also notched herself one ace and three blocks, leading her to a 15 point game.
“I thought this was a real complete effort on our side,” head coach Shawn Garus said. “Offensively and defensively.”
The Broncos continued their success with another sweep against the University of Nevada on Oct. 2.
In an amazing atmosphere, Bronco Nation showed out to show support for their beloved Broncos, with only standing room available for much of the contest, the energy was undeniable.
“I think we just did awesome today; the energy going in was really high,” setter Noelani Helm said. “I think we let that energy ride throughout the match. We tried our best in the second set to stay level-headed and dig out of it as quickly as possible. We leaned on each other when someone else was struggling, and I think we got out of it (the second set) pretty well.”
Helm recorded a team-high 28 assists, three kills and nine digs, while Bartsch notched her 17th double-double in her career with 12 kills to go along with 17 digs and led the Broncos in kills for the 16th straight game this season.
Sophomore defensive specialist Bella McGirr had herself a week, in her first two starts as libero, McGirr made a name for herself.
The budding star helped the Broncos to a home sweep, averaging 15.5 digs per match in both wins over Fresno State and Nevada. She also held the team-high 31 digs with seven assists and was nearly perfect on service receive, making only one error on a team-second-best 25 receptions for a .960 serve receive percentage.
With this outstanding performance, McGirr earned herself the Mountain West Defensive player of the week.
These two wins elevate the Broncos to a 9-7 overall record and an outstanding 5-1 record in Mountain West play to remain in a tie for first place.
FOOTBALL
The Broncos defeated San Jose State University in an electric homecoming night in front of the second largest crowd in Albertsons Stadium history.
The Broncos stormed back from a 21-7 deficit to defeat the Spartans 35-27. You can read more about the win here.
SOCCER
The Boise State soccer team went 1-1 on the week, losing to San Diego State University 0-1 and beating New Mexico 2-1.
Boise State was dealt its first loss in conference play as it was edged by San Diego State in a battle for sole possession of first in the Mountain West.
Though the Broncos were handed the loss, the difference between last year’s game against SDSU and this year’s game was outstanding, with many improvements on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
“Super proud of the togetherness and effort we put forth tonight,” head coach Jim Thomas said. “Results will go your way, other times they won’t, but regardless you have to be together and give all you have and we did that tonight.”
Goalkeeper Genevieve Crenshaw made two saves on three shots on goal, while Carly Cross and Asia Lawyer led the team in shots with three each.
Morgan Stone also is on her way to making history as she has played in 87 matches in her Boise State career, the second-most games played by a Bronco all-time.
The Broncos then took on conference rival University of New Mexico for the first time since 2019 and defeated the Lobos 2-1 on Oct. 8.
Junior forward Kenzie MacMillan and sophomore midfielder Teryn Newkirk both accounted for the two goals for the Broncos. The goal for Newkirk was her first goal in the Blue and Orange and the goal by MacMillan makes it her sixth goal of the season, she is now tied for third-most in the MW.
Crenshaw made eight saves on the night making it 150 total saves in her career and 63 on the 2023 season. Crenshaw is tied for sixth in career shutouts in program history with 21.
“That’s a team win if I’ve ever seen one,” Thomas said. “New Mexico showed tremendous resolve in the second half and we had to prove we were equal to it. From every fiber of every member of our staff and team, we proved we were.”
The Broncos are now 6-2-6 on the season and 4-1-1 in Mountain West play. They will return for a game in the Boas Soccer Complex on Oct. 12 against San Jose State University.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Boise State beach volleyball wrapped up its first tournament of the fall season at the Alki Pairs Tournament on Oct. 8.
The Broncos totaled three bracket-play winners at the event, which consisted of a separate tournament on each day.
Rorianna Chartier and Lily Patock won the C Bracket of the Gold Division on Saturday while Ava Anderson and Addison Wolden also had a dominant tournament, claiming the B Bracket crown of the Silver Division on Saturday.
To wrap it up, Emily Garus and Summer McCann won the Bronze Division B Bracket.
Boise State continues its fall season with the City of Trees Classic, Oct. 21-22, at the Boise State Beach Volleyball Complex.
TENNIS
Boise State senior Sam Sippel wrapped up an incredible five-day run at the 2023 Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s All-American Championships on Oct. 6 in Tulsa, Okla.
The Bronco senior from Nuernberg, Germany, went a combined 5-2 overall and 2-2 versus nationally-ranked opponents.
Sippel defeated 84th-ranked Christian Lerby from Santa Clara as well as a win over Illinois’ Hunter Heck, ranked 74th.
