Broncos Rally for Five-Set Win at South Dakota State

Saturday, September 20

Brookings, S.D.

11 a.m.

Boise State

8-3,0-0Mountain West

South Dakota State

6-3,0-0Summit League

Boise St.

South Dakota St.

Lilli Etter celebrates with a big smile and clutched fists after a win.

9/20/2025 2:18:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Courtesy: Boise State Athletics

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Boise State volleyball rallied past South Dakota State on the road to win in five (21-25, 25-21, 15-25, 25-19, 15-13) over the Jackrabbits out of the Summit League. The win improved the Broncos to 8-3 overall heading into league play next week, while SDSU moved to 6-3.

The day was marked by inconsistency on both sides of the net as neither team hit the ball well. Boise State struggled against SDSU in the first and third sets but regrouped and played well in the other three, rallying twice before claiming the match in five.

The key moment for the Broncos came in the second set, trailing 21-17. Boise State caught fire to close the set on an 8-0 run. The Blue and Orange took the second 25-21 to tie the match 1-1.

For the Jackrabbits, it was a similar tale, as they controlled the first and third sets, then struggled against the Broncos in the other three, eventually falling to the Broncos 3-2.

Quotables
Shawn Garus, head coach

"Really proud of how the team bounced back for a hard-earned victory today."
"Bridey (O'Connor) had great stats, but even better was her energy. She was such a positive force for our team to rally behind."
"Elle (Cotton) had a fantastic serving match...she was able to move it around and create point scoring opportunities."
"When it mattered most, we made plays that winning teams make. I'm proud of the effort today."

Notables

Boise State is 3-1 in five-set matches in 2025.
The win tied the all-time series at 2-2.
Bridey O'Connor had a career day on career highs for kills with 16 and blocks with seven.
Layla Smith recorded a rare double-double on 12 kills and a career-high 11 blocks.
Elle Cotton recorded her third career double-double and second this year on 28 assists and a career-high 15 digs.
Arianna Bilby recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 10 kills and a season-high 14 digs.
Sydney Dreves had her fourth double-digit kills match, finishing with 11 to go with one service ace, one block and seven digs.
Lilli Etter earned her team-high seventh double-double and 14th of her career with 28 assists and 10 digs.
Boise State recorded a season-high 15 team blocks.
It was the 401st career victory and 286th at Boise State for head coach Shawn Garus.

What's Next

Boise State opens Mountain West play next week at Grand Canyon on Thursday and New Mexico on Saturday; both contests will be streamed live on the MW Network.