Boise State volleyball has built a reputation on defensive dominance this season. The Broncos lead the Mountain West in digs per set (16) and rank second in blocks per set (2.92), holding opponents under a .189 hitting percentage. Those numbers reflect a system rooted in preparation, communication and discipline.
Head coach Shawn Garus said the team’s success starts with a clear connection between serving and blocking. Strong serving forces predictable passes, which allows the blockers to set their positions and shut down opposing hitters.
Garus credited middle blockers Layla Smith and Eliza Sharp for leading that effort. He noted their net presence is a key reason Boise State has been so difficult to score against.
Each week, the Broncos’ preparation begins in the film room. Garus and his staff compile detailed scouting reports, identifying the tendencies of each opponent’s primary attackers. That focus helped the team neutralize top hitters in key conference matches, including a sweep of Fresno State.
“Our middle blockers executed the plan exactly how we wanted,” Garus said.
Senior libero Bre Mitchell has been one of the biggest reasons Boise State’s defense has maintained its standard. Averaging nearly four digs per set, Mitchell has earned Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week honors twice this season. She said the team’s chemistry and discipline have made their defense both structured and instinctive.
Mitchell spends hours studying film, learning to anticipate hitters’ tendencies.This allows her to read attacks early and position herself for tougher digs. She said the Broncos approach every rally with the same mentality: nothing touches the floor uncontested.
“Our mentality is that nothing drops,” Mitchell said. “Everyone’s on the same page, and that keeps momentum going during matches.”
In Boise State’s sweep of Fresno State, that mentality was clear. The team consistently forced errors from the Bulldogs’ top scorers and converted long rallies into points. Even in a tight five-set loss against Utah State, the defense held strong against one of the conference’s fastest-paced offenses. Mitchell said those types of matches reinforce how connected the group has become and where they can continue to improve.
At the front of that defensive effort is Layla Smith, one of the top blockers in the Mountain West. Her average of 1.34 blocks per set ranks among conference leaders, but her influence extends beyond numbers. Smith said the team’s blocking success relies on communication, timing and trust.
Smith studies each setter’s patterns, reading whether passes allow a quick middle attack or an outside swing. During matches, she and the pin hitters constantly adjust positioning based on what they see at the net. After each point, she checks in with both front and back-row players to evaluate what worked and what didn’t. That constant communication, she says, keeps the defense synchronized.
As one of Boise State’s veterans, Smith has taken a leadership role with the team’s younger players. She focuses on being a mentor and providing constructive advice to the underclassmen who now play regular rotation minutes.
“I tell the younger players to go in with confidence and energy,” Smith said. “They’re competitive and fun to play with.”
Smith pointed to Utah State as the toughest opponent she’s faced this season, noting the challenge of adjusting to their aggressive hitting style. After struggling early, she made a small technical change — pressing longer over the net — that helped neutralize their attack.
Garus said that kind of in-match adaptability shows how much the defense has matured since the start of the season. Smith’s leadership at the net and Mitchell’s consistency in the back row, he said, have set the tone for the rest of the roster.
Redshirt freshman Eliza Sharp, meanwhile, has quickly emerged as a reliable partner in the middle, using film study and fast improvement to complement the veterans.
The Broncos’ early-season schedule tested their endurance, with five of their first six conference matches on the road. Garus said the team has handled the travel and pressure well by maintaining preparation habits and balance. “They’ve learned to manage class, travel and competition,” he said. “That kind of discipline shows in how consistent they’ve been.”
As Boise State moves deeper into conference play, maintaining consistency has become the team’s main focus.
Smith said the defense’s success depends on staying organized and confident, even as opponents adapt. Mitchell echoed that sentiment, saying that the group has proven defensive ability but has room for improvement.
“I want to be known as a defensive player you can’t score on easily,” Mitchell said. “Seeing our work pay off has been rewarding, but there’s still a lot we can achieve.”
Boise State’s defensive foundation has turned into its competitive identity. Whether it’s shutting down opposing hitters, controlling rallies or adjusting to in-game challenges, the Broncos have shown that defense can dictate the outcome of a match.
