FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Sept. 21, 2024) - The Northern Arizona women's volleyball team continued its winning streak today as they defeated Utah Tech in five sets, 3-2 (25-12, 22-25, 22-25, 25-21, 15-11). The Lumberjacks have now won their last five games, putting their season record at 7-4. Utah Tech drops to 6-4 after playing two matches this week against NAU.
"We played probably some of our best volleyball that we have played this year in that first set. We did a really good job holding them down and dominating in all phases," head coach Ken Murphy said. "We did let up in that second set and got a little bit funky. We're going to try to be better than that in the future while at the same time, learning how to come back from that situation. Being down two to one and coming back is powerful for us and it's good for our confidence."
The first set began with a 4-2 run by the Trailblazers. Northern Arizona answered with an 8-1 run to gain the lead at 10-5. This run included kills by Taylor Jacobsen, Hanah Stoddard and Kendall Robertson. Another kill by Stoddard and by Sophia Wadsworth would be part of a 4-2 run to put the 'Jacks at 14-7. Utah Tech would take a kill to get to eight points, which was followed by another run by Northern Arizona, this time 6-1. The Lumberjacks were now ahead 20-9. Both teams picked up two more points each, now at 22-11. The first set was finished by NAU with a 3-1 run including two kills by Stoddard to take the first set 25-12.
Set two began tied at 2-2. The Trailblazers took the lead with a 3-1 run at 5-3. The 'Jacks tied it up at 5-5 and again at 7-7. A 5-1 run put the 'Blazers ahead at 11-7. Northern Arizona made a 6-1 run to move ahead by one at 13-12. UTU regained the lead at 15-14 before NAU tied it up on the next play. The next eight plays were scored alternatively by both teams, seeing the score tied for the 10th time at 19-19. Utah Tech would creep ahead by two and finish the set with the upper hand at 25-22.
The third set was tied up on five occasions by the time the score was 6-6. Five straight points were gained by Utah Tech as they led at 11-6. Millie O'Ketter completed a service ace as part of a 5-2 run to trail by two points at 13-11. Later in the set, the 'Jacks made a 6-1 run with the help of Wadsworth who completed three kills in a row and two from Kylie Moran to get ahead by one at 19-18. The set would tie at 20-20. From here, the Trailblazers took on a 5-2 run to take the second set 25-22.
Going into the fourth set, the teams tied at three points a piece. A 5-1 run from the Lumberjacks would give them the advantage at 8-4. The middle of the set was back and forth, nonetheless, kills by Wadsworth, Avery Gottschalk, Savannah Bloom, and Stoddard would all contribute in keeping the 'Jacks lead at 13-10. A kill by Robertson would be the start of a 5-1 run to put NAU at 18-13. Utah Tech got their five point deficit down to two by the time the score was 20-18. A 3-1 run with two kills by Stoddard saw the score at 23-19. UTU pushed with two more points but it was not enough as Wadsworth would secure the fourth set for the Lumberjacks at 25-21.Â
The final deciding fifth set was set in motion by two service aces back-to-back by O'Ketter and a kill by Robertson to put NAU at 4-3. Utah Tech took the lead at 7-5. Four points were claimed by NAU with kills by Robertson, Moran and Wadsworth to regain the lead 9-7. The Trailblazers tied up with two points at 9-9. The Lumberjacks picked up momentum with a 5-0 run, making the score 14-9. Utah Tech would give one more push claiming two more points. Kylie Moran would shut it down with a final kill, securing the set 15-11. Northern Arizona would win 3-2, beating Utah Tech for the second time this week. This victory would continue their winning streak, now at five games won.
"Through the match, we're just trying to get better and we're not thinking too much about the highs and the lows," Murphy said. "We are recognizing times when we are doing less than ourselves and just trying to be present and work out of it. I thought the team did a fantastic job of focusing on that today and not getting overwhelmed by the situation.Â
Overall, Stoddard led the 'Jacks in kills with 13, followed by Wadsworth with 11, and Moran with nine. Of the four service aces, O'Ketter claimed three, while Kiera Hall secured the other. Bloom and Gottschalk would have five blocks each, and Robertson had four total. Hall led in assists with 24, followed by Karya Suvarioglu with 18. O'Ketter added 18 digs to her career - putting her at 1,623. She needs 269 more digs to overtake the top spot in the all-time record book at Northern Arizona.Â
Northern Arizona will look to continue its winning streak going into Big Sky Conference play, which begins on Sept. 25 with a match at home against Weber State. The game will begin at 6:30 p.m. Mountain Standard time in Rolle Activity Center. Live streaming will be available on ESPN+ along with live stats.
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