FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Some wins take a little more fight than others, and Saturday night proved that victories are not cheaper by the dozen. The Northern Arizona volleyball team outlasted Southern Utah in four sets, 23-25, 25-16, 25-22, 26-24, for their 12th consecutive victory, matching the program's longest win streak backed by a strong defensive effort. The 'Jacks totaled 14.0 blocks and 81 digs to limit the Thunderbirds to .139 hitting and inched closer to the Big Sky Championships' top seed.

"I'm proud of how we were able to grind it out," said head coach Ken Murphy. "Southern Utah's defense was outstanding and we were able to keep our composure and find ways to score points. I think we were a little nervous to begin tonight – being at home again in front of a big crowd – and we anticipate that when we get in the tournament, whether it's here or somewhere else, we're going to be in this type of environment. Tonight was just another example of our team's character."

The visiting Thunderbirds made the Lumberjacks work for every point, going toe-to-toe with NAU in a match featuring 36 ties and 11 lead changes. While Southern Utah was stout defensively, so was NAU as four players reached double-figures in digs led by redshirt senior Stacia Williams' 27.

The conference's top two blocking teams were on display Saturday night, but the Lumberjacks held the commanding advantage, 14.0-6.0. Senior Payton Bock and redshirt freshman Emma Grimsrud, who was making her first start since the second match of the season, each tallied six blocks. For Grimsrud, that marked a career-high.

Southern Utah came out determined, but following an ace by senior Jordan Leiter, NAU led 19-16 in the first set. The Thunderbirds quickly responded with three points of their own to tie the set and built a two-point cushion with consecutive points to lead 23-21. The lead would stand for SUU as it managed to steal the opening set from NAU after a total of 13 tie scores to start the match.

The Lumberjacks were undeterred and picked up their blocking in the second set to even the match. After posting a single block in the first set, NAU recorded six team blocks – three each from Bock and Grimsrud – in the second period alone as Southern Utah hit -.070 behind 13 attack errors. Two straight blocks by Grimsrud ignited a crucial 6-1 run that put the 'Jacks ahead 10-5 on their way to heading into the locker room knotted up at one set apiece.

NAU had to play from behind for the first half of the third set, trailing until senior Janae Vander Ploeg served NAU on a five-point run – which also included a pair of kills form junior Lauren Jacobsen – to give the Lumberjacks their first lead at 16-14. Despite leading by as much as four, NAU found itself in a 22-22 tie late before Vander Ploeg's kill provided the 'Jacks with a sideout. An SUU error and a win at the net by junior Addy Lofstedt ended the set, with NAU grabbing the final three points.

Kept relatively quiet – just 12 kills in the first three sets – Vander Ploeg erupted for eight kills in the fourth and final set, but like most of the night, the 'Jacks had their work cut for them to close the match. The two teams battled through 15 ties in the fourth set. A thunderous kill by Vander Ploeg set the Lumberjacks up for match point, 24-23, only for the Thunderbirds to stave off defeat. Vander Ploeg followed with another kill, her 20th of the evening, and on second match point, Southern Utah was unable to find the court with its attack.

"What distinguishes us from other teams is that we continue to do what we do every point; whether we're behind or ahead," Williams said. "That showed again tonight with our persistent effort. We're slowly getting towards playing our best game at the end of the season. We still have room to grow, and that's awesome."

NAU managed a .241 hitting percentage with junior Jensen Barton recording 47 assists. Bock posted the high hitting percentage of .444 as she tied her season-high of 11 kills. Vander Ploeg hit .300 along with a match-high 20 kills, while Jacobsen notched 16 kills.

Also in double-digit digs were Vander Ploeg (15), Leiter (13) and Jacobsen (11) as NAU tied its season-high dig total for a four-set match. For Vander Ploeg and Jacobsen, they recorded their 13th and 12th double-doubles of the season.

The 12 straight wins is a streak only matched by the 2011 team, who opened their season with a dozen consecutive victories.

"Everyone wants to leave a legacy and (12 straight wins) is a really cool legacy to leave," Vander Ploeg said. "But we're always just thinking one game at a time and now we want that 13th win. To do that we need to come out strong and fight hard."

The Lumberjacks wrap up the final week of the regular season at home next week. First up will be Sacramento State, the only Big Sky team to beat NAU this season, next Thursday, Nov. 12. NAU will then host Portland State next Saturday, Nov. 14, for Senior Night. Both matches will start at 7 p.m. in Rolle Activity Center.