LA JOLLA, Calif. (Aug. 31, 2024) - The Northern Arizona University women's volleyball team concluded the UC San Diego tournament with a 3-0 sweep against Gonzaga University (25-22, 25-16, 25-12).
"The team did a great job preparing for the match today and getting focused on the things that make us successful," head coach Ken Murphy said.
NAU began the match with a 3-0 run while the Zags came back with two kills of their own before the 'Jacks went on another 3-0 run to put the score at 6-2. Gonzaga fought hard and managed to tie the score six times by the time things tied up at 16-16. At this point that the Zags took the lead in the set for the first time, completing a 4-0 run putting them ahead at 19-16. This would not discourage the Lumberjacks as they went on to make a 5-1 including a service ace by Kylie Moran to regain the lead at 21-20. Gonzaga called a timeout before both teams scored alternately for the next five plays, putting the score at 24-22. A final timeout was called by GU before Karya Suvarioglu sealed the set with a service ace, winning the 'Jacks the first set 25-22.
Gonzaga eagerly started the second set with a 4-2 run before the Lumberjacks immediately answered with an 8-2 run which saw three service aces in a row by Suvarioglu regaining the lead at 10-6. NAU made a 6-1 run to get to 19-12 and helped them to pull away from the Zags. GU scored another two points before NAU made another run, this time 4-0. The last two kills scored by NAU in the second set were completed by Hanah Stoddard. The Lumberjacks would take the second set 25-16.
A service ace by Taylor Jacobsen and a 5-2 run by the 'Jacks to start the third set would establish the tone for the rest of the match. An 8-1 run would put them ahead at 13-4. Millie O'Ketter achieved two service aces during this run. Another 5-1 run with an additional service ace by Suvarioglu put the score at 20-8 for the Lumberjacks. Gonzaga made three straight points in a final charge, however the 'Jacks would carry out a 5-1 run (25-12) to take the match victory at 3-0 in a straight set sweep.
"I tought we played the entire match in a great, competitive flow and played our style of volleyball throughout," said Murphy. "Our offense improved as the match went. Kiera and Karya made good decisions and put our attackers in good positions. What excited is the most was our defense, we executed at a consistent and high level throughout."
Overall the 'Jacks had 43 kills compared to the Zags 23, 13 of which were made by Jacobsen, and 11 by Stoddard. 11 service aces were made for the match, Suvarioglu contributing five of them. Keira Hall led the assists, with 25 of the team's 43 total. O'Ketter tallied 21 digs during the match, putting her career total at 1,478, only 22 digs away from 1,500. The Lumberjacks completed six more blocks than their rival with eight blocks vs two - Avery Gottschalk (four), Jacobsen three) and Savannah Bloom (three).
Jacobsen and O'Ketter were named to the all-tournament team.
NAU volleyball will take on Texas Tech, Green Bay and Florida Atlantic next week (Sept. 5-7) at the Red Raider Classic in Lubbock, Texas. To stay up to date with the NAU volleyball team, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
