FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Nov. 19, 2024) – The Northern Arizona women's volleyball team will close out the Big Sky Conference regular season with two home matches in Flagstaff. On Thursday, the Lumberjacks will face Eastern Washington, followed by a Saturday match up against Idaho.
The Lumberjacks currently sit in eighth place in the Big Sky standings, holding a 5-9 conference record and a 12-13 overall record. To secure a spot in the conference tournament, NAU must win at least one of these two games. The team leads the Big Sky in digs, averaging 16.81 per set, with Millie O'Ketter leading the way at 4.83 digs per set. O'Ketter also ranks ninth in service aces, averaging 0.31 per set. Taylor Jacobsen ranks second in kills with an average of 3.75 per set and 10th in digs with 3.12. Meanwhile, Hanah Stoddard stands sixth in the conference with 3.06 kills per set, and Keira Hall ranks eighth in assists with 5.14 per set.
Eastern Washington (8-6 Big Sky, 12-12 overall) stands fifth in the Big Sky and most recently defeated Idaho in a three-set sweep (25-4, 25-11, 25-20). Bri Gunderson was a standout performer, recording six aces, nine kills, and three blocks.Â
Kalista Lukovich leads the Eagles' offense with 3.03 kills per set, ranking one behind NAU's Stoddard in the conference standings. Defensively, Makenna Collins averages 3.72 digs per set, placing her fifth in the conference. Gunderson is a dominant force at the net, leading the Big Sky with 1.51 blocks per set.
The last meeting between the Lumberjacks and the Eagles occurred on Oct. 26, where NAU fell 1-3 (25-18, 21-25, 17-25, 20-25). Eastern Washington leads the all-time series, 41-35.
The matchup against Eastern Washington is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 21, at 6:30 p.m. Mountain Standard time. Free entry is available by donating to our canned food drive. Live coverage will be available on ESPN+.
Before traveling to Flagstaff, Idaho (0-14 Big Sky, 1-24 overall) will face Northern Colorado, which currently leads the standings and has clinched at least a share of the regular-season title.
For Idaho, Zuzanna Wieczorek averages 2.30 kills per set on offense. Madu Fontes ranks second in service aces with 0.40 per set. Ada Isik contributes defensively with 2.88 digs per set, while Emma Patterson averages 1.00 blocks per set.Â
In their last meeting on Oct. 24, the Lumberjacks swept Idaho in straight sets, all with identical scores of 25-19. The teams will meet again in NAU's season finale on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 6:30 p.m. MST. This match will also serve as Senior Night, honoring five graduating Lumberjacks. Live coverage will be available on ESPN+.
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