FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Nov. 9, 2024) – The Northern Arizona women's volleyball team fell to the Sacramento State Hornets for the second time this season, suffering a 3-0 sweep (16-25, 16-25, 22-25). The Lumberjacks move to 11-12 overall and 4-8 in Big Sky conference play. Sacramento State moves to 16-9 and 9-3.Â
"I think we needed to block a little bit better than we did today," head coach Ken Murphy said. "Sacramento State is really good at avoiding the block and not allowing us to do that. We served really well, actually, and took them out of their systems a little bit. We made them set their outside hitters a lot and played with aggression. I think we're trying to create opportunities for ourselves, but we just couldn't convert them as well as Sac State did."
The first set started with an even exchange of kills from both teams, with the score staying close up to a tie at 10-10. Key kills were made by Gigi Greenlee, Taylor Jacobsen, and Kendall Robertson. The Hornets then gained momentum with a 10-1 run, including kills from Big Sky Conference leaders Bridgette Smith and Caitlin Volkmann. The Lumberjacks rallied with a 5-2 run, highlighted by kills from Savannah Bloom and Jacobsen, bringing the score to 21-16. Sacramento State ultimately closed the first set with four consecutive points, winning 25-16.
In the second set, Sacramento State took an early 4-0 lead, which NAU answered with a 4-0 run that included an ace by Millie O'Ketter. The teams were tied three more times up to 8-8, but Sacramento State then pulled ahead to 12-8. NAU responded with a 3-1 run featuring kills by Jacobsen, Hanah Stoddard, and Courtney Oilar. The Hornets then seized momentum again with a 10-0 run, putting them at 23-11. Northern Arizona put together a 5-1 run with kills from Robertson, Greenlee, and Kylie Moran. However, Sacramento State finished the second set with a final kill, taking it 25-16.
Northern Arizona came out strong in the third set, leading 6-2 with O'Ketter's second ace of the match. Sacramento State closed the gap to 8-6, then made a 9-3 run to take a 15-11 lead. Bloom responded with a kill, followed by an ace from Melia Barlow to tie the score at 15-15. The Hornets then went on a 6-2 run to stretch their lead to 21-17. The Lumberjacks countered with a 5-1 run, including a kill by Avery Gottschalk, Jacobsen, and an ace by Keira Hall, tying the set at 22-22. Sacramento State clinched the match with two kills and a block, sweeping the match 3-0.
Overall, Northern Arizona posted a team-hitting percentage of .109 compared to Sacramento State's .244. Stoddard led the Lumberjacks with six kills, while Jacobsen and Bloom each added five. Robertson led in blocks with three, followed by Bloom and Sophia Wadsworth with two. Barlow contributed 12 assists, and Hall added seven. O'Ketter led in digs with 12, followed by Stoddard with six.
The Lumberjacks will play two road matches next week, facing Weber State on Nov. 14 and Idaho State on Nov. 16. Both matches will be available to stream on ESPN+.
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