| Northern Arizona at Sacramento State | vs. Idaho |
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (September 19, 2023) – After finishing its 11-match non-conference schedule last week against New Mexico, the Northern Arizona volleyball team will kick off the first two of its 16 matches with Big Sky competition this weekend, starting with a trip to Sacramento State on Thursday, and concludes the weekend by hosting Idaho on Saturday night.
The Lumberjacks are looking to take the opportunity to start fresh in the conference season after closing non-conference with a 3-8 record, with the teams defeating NAU compiling a record of 39-28.
NAU picked up two wins at the opening Texan Invitational hosted by Tarleton State University before snapping a five-match skid in the final match of the Lumberjack Classic, where they defeated Boise State in a five-set classic to close out its home event.
But heading into the conference portion of the schedule, Murphy and the Lumberjacks are preparing for what they can control in these important matches.
"Sacramento State has a lot of returners on their roster and has had a really strong non-conference," head coach Ken Murphy said. "We know that it is always a challenge, especially on the road against them. We have to focus on ourselves, have a good couple of days of practice, and get ready for some good challenges ahead."
Last season saw NAU drop both matches against Sacramento State and split the two contests with Idaho. Both matches against the Vandals went longer than three sets, with Idaho winning the match in Flagstaff in four, while the Lumberjacks returned the favor in five sets in Moscow during the last weekend of the 2022 season.
As for the all-time head-to-head, Northern Arizona currently trails Sacramento State, having gone 24-40, with the home teams having dominated the series. NAU will be looking for its third-ever win at The Nest. However, the Lumberjacks have compiled a 6-4 mark against the Hornets in the last 10 meetings.
It is a different story versus Idaho, with the Lumberjacks being victorious in 22 of the 35 all-time matches between the two. Northern Arizona has won seven of the last 10 over the Vandals.
Sacramento State (7-7) has dropped four of its last five dating back to its appearance at the Gator Invitational hosted by Florida. In Gainesville, the Hornets went 1-2, with the lone victory coming against Winthrop. Sacramento State also took both the host Gators and Clemson to five sets each, falling in the deciding set in those two matches.
The Hornets enter the match as one of the top defensive teams in the conference, having recorded 120 total blocks, which is the most in the Big Sky Conference entering the weekend. Sac State features both the leading block-getter in Tiyanane Kamba-Griffin and the player with the highest dig total in Caty Cordano.
Both the away match at Sacramento State and the home meeting with Idaho will be streamed on ESPN+. Thursday's start time is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the first ball on Saturday is set for 6:30 p.m.
As for Saturday's opponent in Idaho (1-11), it has been a difficult start for the Vandals, having dropped nine consecutive matches. Their lone win on the season came at its home tournament, where they defeated UC Riverside in straight sets. Before making the trip to Flagstaff, Idaho will host Montana State on Thursday to open up its conference schedule.
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