FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 9, 2021) – The Northern Arizona volleyball team carries a three-match win streak, tied for their season-long, into the final week of the regular season. The Lumberjacks head out on the road to face Weber State at 6 p.m. and Idaho State at 1 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday in their last two matches before the conference tournament. Both matches will be available to stream on ESPN+.
After defeating Southern Utah last Thursday, NAU capped its home slate with possibly its most impressive victory of the season, sweeping Sacramento State on Senior Night. .The win was particularly impressive as the Hornets entered last Saturday having won six straight, four of which came against the Big Sky leaders Weber State, Portland State and Northern Colorado.
The two wins brought NAU's season record to 11-12 overall and 9-5 in conference play. The Lumberjacks begin the last week of the regular season tied with Montana State for fourth in the conference. Should that tie hold at the end of the weekend, NAU would face Montana State in the first round of next week's Big Sky Championship in Ogden, Utah.
Weber State, Portland State and Northern Colorado all enter the week tied for first in the conference standings. In fact, although all eight berths have been locked up, none of the eight seeds are decided with two matches remaining before the tournament.
While the 'Jacks lead the Big Sky in hitting percentage in conference play (.243), it was their defense that was the star of last week's show. NAU combined to limit Southern Utah and Sacramento State to a combined .129 hitting percentage, and for the conference season, Big Sky foes are hitting .166. That trails only Weber States .134 opponent hitting percentage.
Sophomore
Millie O'Ketter anchored the defense, averaging 4.29 digs per set, including 6.00 per set against Sacramento State, last week. Her efforts earned her Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week honors. O'Ketter ranks fourth in the conference in overall dig average (3.87) and in conference play (4.43).
The Lumberjacks also received strong block efforts from their two middle blockers - sophomore
Jordan Elder and junior
Neche Newton - and senior opposite hitter
Ryann Davis. Elder and Newton both averaged 1.00 blocks per set last week and Davis was at 0.86 per set.
As NAU has adjusted its system over the last week and a half, the Lumberjacks' offense has taken off. Senior
Aubrea Bandfield, who is 28 assists from becoming the 10th player in program history to reach 2,000 for her career, has set the offense to a combined .261 hitting percentage and 13.50 kills per set during the Lumberjacks' current win streak. All five of NAU's hitters, led by junior
Taylor Jacobsen's 4.30, is averaging at least 1.86 kills per set during this stretch.
Jacobsen, who leads the team with 3.50 kills per set this season, ranks 14th in the country in aces per set (0.50) and 30th in total aces (39). After totaling just 14 aces in her first 12 matches, Jacobsen has served up 25 aces in the last 10 matches, with five matches with at least three aces.
NAU split its homestand with Weber State and Idaho State last month. The Lumberjacks were swept by the Wildcats, two nights after sweeping the Bengals. NAU has dropped three straight to Weber State while the 'Jacks have won five consecutive meetings with Idaho State.
Weber State, who two weeks ago was undefeated in conference play at 10-0, has dropped three of its last four matches including a 3-2 loss at Northern Colorado last Saturday. The defending Big Sky champions are a perfect 9-0 at home though and is 16-8 overall. The Wildcats are one of three teams tied for first in the league standings heading into the final week of the regular season. Rylin Adams is third in the conference in kills in conference play at 3.53 per set, while leading the league overall at 3.72 per set. Sam Schiess is second in hitting at .324 in all matches and in conference matches at .343.
Idaho State has dropped 11 matches in a row since opening conference with a 2-1 record. The Bengals (6-20, 2-12 Big Sky) were swept by Weber State and Northern Colorado last week in a streak of five consecutive five-set losses. Sadie Bluth leads the Bengals in kills with 2.60 per set. Asiah Sopoaga anchors the Bengals' back line ranking seventh in the conference in digs with 3.58 per set this season.
To stay up to date with the NAU volleyball team, follow the Lumberjacks on
Twitter and
Instagram.
