FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Nov. 12, 2024) – The Northern Arizona women's volleyball team will hit the road for its final two away matches in the Big Sky Conference. Currently, the Lumberjacks hold an 11-12 overall record, with a 4-8 record in conference play.
Most recently, the 'Jacks faced off against Portland State and Sacramento State at home in Flagstaff. Northern Arizona swept the Portland State Vikings 3-0, retaliating the Viking's sweep from the start of October. However, the Sacramento State Hornets continued their edge over the Lumberjacks, securing a 3-0 win following their 3-1 victory last month.
Digs remain a strong suit for Northern Arizona, which leads the conference as a team with an average of 16.77 digs per set. Millie O'Ketter leads the team with 4.81 digs per set, while Taylor Jacobsen ranks 10th in the Big Sky with 3.07 digs per set. Jacobsen also places third in kills, averaging 3.67 per set, and Hanah Stoddard ranks seventh with an average of 3.04 kills per set.
Weber State, favored in the coaches' preseason poll, received three first-place votes and 73 points overall. Last season, they finished 11-5 in the Big Sky, with a 21-10 overall record.
The Wildcats recently hosted Idaho State, sweeping the Bengals 3-0. Weber State currently holds a 12-11 overall record and stands at 9-3 in conference play, placing them fourth in the standings.
Junior Wildcat Saane Munyer was named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week—her first recognition of the 2024 season and second of her career. The middle blocker from Woods Cross, Utah, posted five block assists and one solo block for a total of six blocks, adding nine kills and a .312 hitting percentage in the match against Idaho State. She ranks seventh in the Big Sky in blocks, with 98 total.
The Lumberjacks last faced the Wildcats in their first conference match of the 2024 season, where Weber State claimed a 3-0 victory on Sept. 25.
This will be the 88th all-time meeting between the Lumberjacks and the Wildcats. Northern Arizona currently leads the series, 47-40.
The match is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 14, at 6:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, with live coverage available through ESPN+.
The Lumberjacks will then face Idaho State on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 12:00 p.m. MST. This game will also be available to stream on ESPN+. The two teams have not yet met this season; their last matchup was last year when the 'Jacks swept the Bengals 3-0 in Rolle Activity Center.
The Bengals currently sit second in the Big Sky standings, with their recent loss to Weber State knocking them out of the top spot. Idaho State leads the conference in hitting percentage, averaging .259, and also tops the Big Sky defensively with an average of 3.05 blocks per set.
Jamie Streit leads Idaho State in kills, with 288 on the season for an average of 3.00 per set, while Jaydin Watts ranks second in the conference for blocks, averaging 1.46 per set.
Northern Arizona has won eight of its last ten matches against Idaho State, leading the all-time series 43-40 since 1979.
With four matches remaining in the Big Sky Conference season, Northern Arizona currently stands eighth out of ten teams. The Lumberjacks will need to maintain this position to have a chance at making the playoff tournament.
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