FARMINGTON, Utah (August 19, 2022) – A week ahead of their 2022 season opener, the Northern Arizona volleyball team was tied for fifth in the Big Sky Preseason Coaches Poll released by the league office on Friday. NAU totaled 50 points, tying with Sacramento State, in the poll following a tie for fourth-place finish last season.
Northern Colorado – the defending conference tournament champion – and Weber State – the defending regular season champion – were voted first and second respectively in the poll. The Bears received six of 10 first-place votes – coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team – and totaled 78 points. The Wildcats earned two first-place votes and sat at 70 points.
Portland State and Montana State each received a first-place vote in third and fourth respectively. The Vikings were right behind Weber State with 66 points, while the Bobcats just edged NAU and Sacramento State with 52 points.
Behind NAU and Sacramento State, Eastern Washington and Montana were tied for seventh with 25 points apiece. Idaho (21) and Idaho State (13) rounded out the preseason poll.
The top eight teams at the end of the regular season will qualify for the Big Sky Championship hosted by Weber State from Nov. 23-26.
NAU returns two-time All-Big Sky First Team selection
Taylor Jacobsen, who is coming off a junior season in which she ranked second in the Big Sky with 3.63 kills per set. Jacobsen is one of 10 total returners from last season's team that tied for fourth in the Big Sky with a 10-6 league mark. The Lumberjacks, who were 12-14 overall a year ago, also bring back their leaders in blocks (
Jordan Elder) and digs (
Millie O'Ketter) among their group of returners.
Season tickets and single game tickets are on sale as NAU gears up for the 2022 season featuring 12 matches in the Rolle Activity Center. The Lumberjacks open the fall next Friday, Aug. 26 with the first day of the Lumberjack Classic. NAU will host Utah Tech and Michigan at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively before hosting Old Dominion on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 2 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at this
link with questions directed to
LumberjackTicketOffice@nau.edu.
To stay up to date with the NAU volleyball team, follow the Lumberjacks on
Twitter and
Instagram.
2022 Big Sky Preseason Coaches Poll (First-Place Votes in Parentheses)
1. Northern Colorado – 78 (6)
2. Weber State – 70 (2)
3. Portland State – 66 (1)
4. Montana State – 52 (1)
T5. Northern Arizona – 50
T5. Sacramento State – 50
T7. Eastern Washington – 25
T7. Montana – 25
9. Idaho – 21
10. Idaho State – 13
