POCATELLO - Blakely Peppinger isn't one to overanalyze the ebb and flow of a volleyball match or scrimmage.

All she knows is that she can always recognize when particular hitters are feeling dangerous off her sets.

"It's really random because in practice, we'll be on with a different hitter and not particularly the same one every practice," Peppinger said. "When it works, it's really good."

It sure worked for Idaho State's senior setter and several of her teammates last weekend at the Utah Valley Invitational. Peppinger set a career high with 40 assists in Idaho State's first match of the tournament, a win against North Texas on Saturday. Outside hitter Emily Beardmore and right-side hitter Brenda Cooper both set career highs in kills in that match.

Peppinger's showing came a week after freshman Karissa Legaux earned the majority of playing time at the five-match Shocker Classic in Wichita, Kan. Bengals coach Chad Teichert has named Peppinger his starter for their home and conference opener against Portland State at 3 p.m. today at Reed Gym and nothing beyond that.

But that's fine with Peppinger. She'll step on the court when Teichert tells her to, and when she does, she'll build connections with her hitters like she's always known how to.

Peppinger has appeared in 23 of the 34 sets Idaho State has played, while Legaux has logged time in 16. Peppinger has more assists (167 to 117), while Legaux's kills have outnumbered Peppinger's 8-3.

Teichert said he likely will continue with that strategy of playing the hottest hand each given week. Legaux has impressed him with her blocking, but Peppinger naturally has developed a more intuitive understanding of her hitters' tendencies over the previous three years.

While either setter might benefit from knowing for sure she's the starter, Teichert said they're too close right now for him to make a choice.

"In a way, it can be nice to know that, but in another way, it's nice to have to compete in practice every day for your job," Teichert said. "Both are good situations."

The strategy worked last weekend, when Peppinger set up Cooper for 10 kills and Beardmore for 15 in a four-set win over North Texas. Beardmore has said in the past she instantly developed a stronger connection with Legaux, her roommate and fellow freshman, but she and Peppinger worked just fine together Saturday.

Peppinger then added 21 more assists in a straight-set loss to Utah Valley. Put together, Peppinger's two performances formed what Teichert called her most outstanding weekend of play this year.

"It was just totally team chemistry," Cooper said. "It wasn't like, 'Wow, I'm on today.' It was more like, 'Wow, our team's doing good. This is the way we should be playing every day.'"

But Peppinger refused to gloat about her numbers from the latest tournament, nor does she harbor any resentment toward Legaux for having to split time with the freshman.

In fact, as much as she trusts her gut feeling for what sets to float to which hitters, she still appreciates whatever help she receives from the sidelines - especially when it comes from her fellow setter.

"We help each other out," Peppinger said. "She helps me out when I'm out there on the floor, telling me what's open and what I should set, and I try to do the same when I'm on the bench. It's a team effort. We win as a team, and we lose as a team, whether she's playing or me."