LA JOLLA, Calif. - (Aug. 30, 2024) - The Northern Arizona University women's volleyball team started off its schedule with a bang at the UC San Diego tournament, beating Southern Utah this morning to secure its first win of the season. The Lumberjacks opened the season with a 3-1 (25-11, 25-17, 17-25, 25-13) victory over the Thunderbirds to kickstart the 2024 campaign. In the evening match, the Lumberjacks lost to the hosts UC San Diego in straight sets (14-25, 22-25, 20-25).
"Today was a really good day of growth for us. I thought we learned important things from both matches and saw some level of play that makes me optimistic about the rest of the season," said head coach Ken Murphy. "I thought our outside hitters played two strong matches. Their passing was solid and they carried a big offensive load. It was especially good to see Taylor competing again. And both Hanah and Kylie had strong offensive matches today."
MATCH ONE: NAU 3, SUU 1
Taylor Jacobsen got the 'Jacks off to a strong start in the first set, contributing with five early kills for an 8-2 lead. She would end the set with seven kills on 10 attempts with no errors. Another 7-1 run, that included five kills from Hanah Stoddard, helped NAU pull ahead 16-5. Later in the set, a block assist by Avery Gottschalk and Sophia Wadsworth extended the lead out to 20-8. From there, the Lumberjacks were able to close the set on a 5-2 run to take the first set 25-11 for a 1-0 lead in the match. Keira Hall, Kendall Roberson and Jacobsen all had aces in the first set.Â
Southern Utah made three straight points to get up 3-2 in the second set before Northern Arizona used an 8-1 run to put them ahead 10-4. The 'Jacks would put up a 6-1 run to push the score to 20-9. The Thunderbirds fought back with an 8-3 run but it fell just short as the 'Jacks finished off the set 25-17 to take a 2-0 lead. Savannah Bloom led the Lumberjacks kills count in the second set with four kills. Set two saw another service ace from Jacobsen and Robertson each.
SUU started off hot in the third set with a 4-1 run. NAU would go on to make its own 4-1 run to counter. The third set saw both teams tie up the score a total of four times, however the Thunderbirds rounded with an 8-3 run to secure a 25-17 win of their own.Â
The fourth set was evenly matched in the beginning, with the score being 3-3. The Lumberjacks were then able to go on a 17-4 run to make it tough for the Thunderbirds to catch up, with the fourth set moving to 20-7 in NAU's advantage. This run included one service ace by Karya Suvarioglu, two kills by Wadsworth and three kills by Stoddard and Jacobsen, respectively. The next eight plays saw both teams score alternately putting the score up to 24-11. SUU scored two more points before Jacobsen would secure the last point to win the set 25-13 and give the Lumberjacks their first victory of the season with a 3-1 win.
"This morning we blocked very well and played tough defense," added Murphy. "Our ability to score from out of that phase has improved a ton and it really showed against SUU."
Overall, NAU would possess a .326 pct versus SUU .143 pct. The Lumberjacks had six aces in total against two from the Thunderbirds and 13 blocks compared to their opponents nine. Libero Millie O'Ketter would add 16 digs to her record putting her at 1,446 total digs in her career. Jacobsen led the kills count with 17 kills, scoring a .385 pct and 11 digs. Stoddard closely followed with 15 kills, at a .256 pct and 12 digs in total, meaning they both accomplished a double-double. Gottschalk achieved nine blocks, while Suvarioglu led the team in assists with 27.Â
MATCH TWO: NAU 0, UCSD 3
The evening match that followed was played against the host school, UC San Diego. The two schools have not met since 1983.Â
Coach Murphy said, "We had a harder time containing UCSD tonight but felt like we were close."Â
Northern Arizona earned the first point of the match, with a kill by Stoddard. UCSD would go on a 7-0 run to put the score at 19-9 in the first set. Three other starters contributed kills along with Kylie Moran, however, the Tritons would go on a 6-3 run to finish off the first set 25-14.
The second set was much closer and the 'Jacks made an early 4-0 run to make the score 4-2. By the time the score was 8-6, the match had been tied three times. UCSD went on to make their total service aces up to five, with two being in the second set. NAU battled with a late 5-1 run putting the score closely at 21-22. A kill by UCSD would secure them the second set 25-22, leading the Tritons up two sets to zero.Â
In the third set, Jacobsen would go on to score eight of the team's 10 total kills for the set. As a result, Jacobsen would once again lead the Lumberjacks total kills with 13 for the match. UCSD would start off the third set with a 5-1 run. NAU retaliated with a 5-2 run, putting the score at 6-7. UCSD led the whole set from the start, with NAU trailing closely behind. The third set would end with the Tritons advancing with a 4-1 run putting the third set score at 25-20, winning them the match in straight sets.
O'Ketter executed 11 digs, putting her new career total at 1,457 - only 43 digs away from 1,500. O'Ketter, Moran and Suvarioglu each scored service aces. Gottschalk led the Lumberjacks in blocks with three. Suvarioglu once again led the assists with 12 for the match, closely followed by Hall with 10.
Northern Arizona will face Gonzaga tomorrow at 1 p.m. to conclude the UC San Diego tournament. Live stats from the match will be available to follow.
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