SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2024) - The Northern Arizona women's volleyball team took on the Big Sky Conference leaders Thursday night, falling to Sacramento State in three sets to one, 15-25, 18-25, 25-23, 21-25. The loss put the 'Jacks season record at 7-8, and 0-4 in Big Sky Conference play. Sacramento State moves to 11-6 and 4-0, the only remaining undefeated program in the Big Sky.
The Hornets took the early lead with a 6-2 run. A service ace by Karya Suvarioglu would bring the score to 6-4. An 8-1 run by Sacramento State would put them ahead at 14-5. From here, the Lumberjacks would go on a 10-6 run with two service aces, one by Keira Hall and the other by Taylor Jacobsen, making the score 20-15 in Sacramento State's favor. However, the Hornets would complete five straight points, including two service aces back-to-back, to take set one 25-15.
Northern Arizona would secure the first point of the second set thanks to a kill by Jacobsen. A block assist by Sophia Wadsworth and Kendall Robertson would tie the set up at 6-6 a piece. Kills by Robertson and Jacobsen would put the 'Jacks within one at 9-10. A 4-0 run by the Hornets put them at 15-10 before a media time-out. Upon returning, Northern Arizona would go on a 3-1 run including a service ace, this time from Jacobsen. Another service ace would come later in the set by Stoddard - her second of the night. The second set was ultimately taken by the Hornets 25-18.
For the third straight set, Northern Arizona would take the opening point with a kill by Jacobsen. The set would tie up at 4-4 before Sac State would creep ahead at 10-5. It was at this point that the Lumberjacks were on fire, with a 12-1 run, giving them the lead at 17-11. During this run, Hall would complete four service aces, three of which were carried out consecutively. The Hornets would make a sting, fighting back to bring the score back to within two points by the time the set was 21-19. Kills by Jacobsen and Savannah Bloom would aid the 'Jacks in having their first set point advantage at 24-20. Sacramento made a final charge in an attempt to complete a sweep with two service aces as part of a 3-0 run, making the score 24-23. A final error by the Hornets would give Northern Arizona the third set 25-23.
The fourth set was closely matched to begin, with the score tied at 3-3 and 6-6. A block assist by Stoddard and Robertson and a kill by Wadsworth would help take the 'Jacks ahead at 11-7. An 11-2 run by Sacramento State regained them the lead at 14-12. By the time the set was at 21-16 in the Hornet's advantage, Northern Arizona completed a 4-0 run including kills by Avery Gottschalk and Stoddard along with a service ace by Millie O'Ketter to get within one point at 21-20. Sacramento State finished off the fourth set with a 4-0 run, taking it 25-21 and securing them the match 3-1.
Overall, Northern Arizona had a hitting percentage of .216 compared to the rivals 2.70. The 'Jacks had 11 service aces throughout the match. Five of which came from Hall. Stoddard and Jacobsen would execute two each and Suvarioglu and O'Ketter both contributed one each. Stoddard finished leading the 'Jacks with 14 kills, followed by Jacobsen with 11. Robertson was among the hitting leaders with a .500 percentage, to which she also led in blocks with three. Wadsworth was right with her at two blocks. O'Ketter led the field with 19 digs total, followed by Jacobsen with 12. Hall would tally 18 assists, one ahead of Suvarioglu with 17.
Northern Arizona will go on to play against Portland State this Saturday at 2 p.m Mountain Standard time. The match will be available to watch live on ESPN+, or follow along with live stats on StatBroadcast.
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