Match Information:

Opponent: Weber State (Thursday, Oct. 16/6:00 p.m.)

Location: Ogden, Utah

Opponent: Idaho State (Saturday, Oct. 18/6:00 p.m.)

Location: Pocatello, Idaho

MATCH NOTES (PDF)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The Northern Arizona volleyball team begins their most critical stretch of the season to date this weekend with road matches at Weber State on Thursday and Idaho State on Saturday. Both matches will begin at 6 p.m. Flagstaff time.

This week is the first of two consecutive weeks on the road for NAU, which will include four matches spanning four different states. Included in this stretch are the two teams - Idaho State on Saturday and North Dakota next week - the Lumberjacks share the best conference record with at 5-1.

Follow the Action: Live stats for both of this weekend's matches will be available. Live video streams will also be available for both matches at www.watchbigsky.com. For the live stat and video links, visit the NAU Volleyball schedule page.

Ken Murphy's Thoughts: "This is our toughest stretch of the season in terms of playing really quality opponents on the road in different environments. It's going be a great test for us but our team is excited. The great thing about this team is they like challenges. They see this as a great opportunity for us to improve."

Previewing The 'Jacks: NAU survived a crazy weekend in the Big Sky - eight of the 12 schools split their weekend matches - as one of just two teams to post a perfect 2-0 record. With their sweeps of Montana and Montana State, the Lumberjacks are now one of three teams with a 5-1 record in conference play. NAU improved to 14-3 overall, tying the school's best record through 17 matches, in large part because of the reigning Big Sky Player of the Week senior Sydney Kemper, who posted a pair of double-doubles averaging 3.50 kills and 4.17 digs per set while hitting .462. The 'Jacks twice reset their season-best hitting percentages and hit. 344 for the weekend, while holding UM and MSU to a .128 clip. Four starters led by junior Payton Bock, who totaled nine blocks, averaged at least a block per set as NAU held a commanding 22.0-8.0 advantage in blocks.

Scouting Weber State: Weber State picked up a big win at home, defeating Northern Colorado in four sets to finish last weekend. The Wildcats, who dropped a three-setter to North Dakota to start the week, carries a 5-14 overall record and 2-4 Big Sky mark into a three-match week this week beginning with a non-conference match at Utah Valley. Weber State is the third-best blocking team in the conference at 2.43 per set led by sophomore Megan Thompson, who is fourth individually with a 1.13 average. Senior Audrey Biggs leads the conference in kills at 4.19 per set.

Scouting Idaho State: Idaho State bounced back from its first conference loss against Northern Colorado by dominating North Dakota in three sets, the last unbeaten in Big Sky play. The defending conference champion Bengals, now 11-8 and 5-1 within the conference, are led by sophomore Tressa Lyman, who ranks second in the Big Sky in kills with 3.30 per set. Junior Makenzie Filer is second in blocks at 1.29 per set. The well-rounded Bengals are in the top-six in every statistical category and enter the week having won seven of their last eight matches overall.

Series History: 

• NAU and Weber State will be meeting for the 66th time in school history. NAU leads the all-time series 37-28. NAU swept the season series last season winning in three sets at home (25-11, 25-15, 25-20) and in three sets in Ogden (26-24, 25-17, 25-13).
• NAU and Idaho State will be meeting for the 65th time in school history. Idaho State leads the all-time series 34-30. NAU swept the season series last season winning in five sets at home (26-24, 18-25, 26-24, 21-25, 20-18) and in five sets in Pocatello (14-25, 18-25, 25-20, 26-24, 16-14).

N-A-U Should Know: 

• The Lumberjacks were picked first in a tie with Idaho State in the Big Sky Preseason Poll in a vote by the league coaches. NAU and Idaho State both received 108 points and four first-place votes.
• The Lumberjacks' 14-3 record through their first 17 matches equals the best start to a season in school history. The 1991 and 2012 teams both started 14-3.
• The Lumberjacks continue to be the highest ranked Big Sky team in the NCAA RPI, this week at No. 115.
• NAU has won the first set in 14 of its 17 matches this season. The 'Jacks are 14-0 when winning the opening set.
• NAU has hit above .200 in 15 of 17 matches, while limiting its opponents to a sub-.200 percentage in 11 of 17 matches.
• As a team, NAU leads the Big Sky Conference in hitting percentage (.268), kills (13.48/set), assists (12.74/set), blocks (2.67/set) and service aces (1.67/set) entering the week. The Lumberjacks are first in five of seven statistical categories. They are third in opponent hitting percentage and digs.
• Junior Payton Bock leads the conference in hitting percentage at .410.
• Sophomore Jensen Barton leads the conference in service aces with 0.43 per set.
• The Lumberjacks have three players in the top-10 of the Big Sky in hitting percentage: Bock (.410, first), senior Taylor Stephens (.339, fourth) and senior Sydney Kemper (.317, seventh).

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