GREELEY, Colo. (Nov. 1, 2024) - The Northern Arizona women's volleyball team battled the UNC Bears for the Blue and Gold title this evening in Greeley, falling in three sets 0-3 (14-25, 18-25, 23-25). This puts the Lumberjacks at 10-11 on their season with 3-7 in Big Sky Conference play. Northern Colorado, who sits at the top of the standings, moves to 18-5 and 9-1.
The first set saw the Bears off to a hot start with a 7-1 on their home court. A kill by Hanah Stoddard, a service ace by Taylor Jacobsen and a kill by Gigi Greenlee would help bring the Lumberjacks to within four at 6-10. UNC would make a three-point run, getting to 13-6 before two kills by Kendall Robertson and Sophia Wadsworth would take the score to 9-14. Northern Colorado carried a 6-1 run, putting them 10 points ahead at 21-11. Jacobsen secured another ace to give the 'Jacks 13 points. Ultimately, UNC would finish the first set with a 4-1 run to secure a 1-0 lead. The 'Jacks had a .091 hitting percentage in the first set.
Stoddard would claim the first point of the second set, to which UNC responded with a 13-2 run. Savannah Bloom, Jacobsen and Wadsworth would all make kills to put the 'Jacks at 7-19. Gigi Greenlee and Stoddard were strong on the attack as they contributed to a 5-2 run putting the score at 12-21. Kylie Moran would be substituted in and make a service ace alongside two kills by Bloom to continue the run 4-1. By 16-23, Stoddard made a kill and a service ace to secure the 'Jacks 18 points before the Bears took the second set with two more points 25-18. The team's hitting percentage would improve to .212 for the set.Â
Set three began more evenly matched with a 3-3 tie. A 6-2 run came from the Lumberjacks, including kills by Jacobsen and Bloom, and service aces also by Jacobsen and Melia Barlow, leading the score to 9-5. A 3-1 run would follow with a kill by Wadsworth to extend Northern Arizona's lead to 12-6. Stoddard would make the eighth service ace of the night for the 'Jacks as part of a 4-2 run which also saw kills by Robertson and Wadsworth. Northern Arizona maintained the lead, with the score being 20-15. Northern Colorado secured three points to creep within two at 20-18. Bloom and Robertson each made kills alongside a service ace by Keira Hall to put NAU at 23-20. With the home crowd on their feet, Northern Colorado would dig deep and make a 5-0 run, overtaking Northern Arizona's lead, winning the third set 25-23, and ultimately sweeping the Lumberjacks for the second time this season. Northern Arizona had its best hitting percentage in the third set with .243.
Overall, Northern Arizona averaged a hitting percentage of .184, with 30 kills. Jacobsen had three of the Lumberjacks' eight service aces and Stoddard had two. Bloom would lead the team in kills with seven total, followed by Stoddard with six and Jacobsen with five. Robertson, Jacosben and Greenlee each had two blocks. Hall and Barlow tied in assists with 12 each. Millie O'Ketter made 12 digs, in front of Jacobsen with five and Stoddard with four. Northern Colorado's hitting percentage of .316 would help them to retain the Blue and Gold battle.
The Lumberjacks will play two home matches next week, squaring up to Portland State on Nov. 7 and Sacramento State on Nov. 9. The matches will be held in Rolle Activity Center with live coverage on ESPN+.
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