Volleyball Falls 3-0 to Weber State

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Sept. 25, 2024) - The Northern Arizona women's volleyball team fell 3-0 in their Big Sky Conference debut against Weber State tonight. (22-25, 16-25, 21-25). This would put the Lumberjacks season record at 7-5, 0-1. Weber State would move to 4-8, 1-0.

Weber State was ranked as the favorites in the coaches preseason poll. The Wildcats received three first-place votes and 73 overall. Last season they finished 11-5 in the Big Sky, while going 21-10 overall. 

The first set was closely matched throughout, with the score being tied on 12 different occasions. The Wildcats would carry out a 3-0 run towards the end of the set to gain some traction and ultimately win the set 25-22.

Set two saw an early lead to the Lumberjacks with kills from Sophia Wadsworth and Avery Gottschalk to get to 4-2. From here, the Wildcats went on a 10-1 run putting them ahead 12-5. A 3-1 run from the 'Jacks brought the score to 13-8, but it would be followed with a 7-2 run by Weber to get ahead by 10 points. Kills by Gottschalk, Melia Barlow and Savannah Bloom would be part of a 4-1 run to fight back and get the score to 21-14. However, the Wildcats would secure the second set 25-16.

Weber State took the early lead in the third set, 4-2. They would continue to lead until the Lumberjacks tied it up at nine points a piece. Northern Arizona would go on to take a two point lead with kills by Hanah Stoddard, Wadsworth and Bloom. By the time the score was 16-14, the Wildcats would tie it up at 16-16. NAU made a 3-0 run with two kills back to back from Kylie Moran. WSU answered with a 3-0 run of their own to tie yet again at 19-19. The 'Jacks got ahead 21-20, but the Wildcats dominated from here, finishing the set with five straight points to win the set 25-21 and sweep the 'Jacks in straight sets.

Overall, Stoddard led in kills with 10, followed by Moran with eight and Wadsworth with five. Moran the only service ace for the 'Jacks. In terms of blocks, Gottschalk had five, Wadsworth had three and Kendall Roberston carried out two. Barlow would lead in assists with 16 total, followed by Keira Hall with 15. Millie O'Ketter would add another 18 digs to her career, now at 1,641. Hall trailed with 11 digs and Stoddard had 10 total. 

The Northern Arizona volleyball team will continue their Conference quest with a match against Montana State on Sept. 28, in Bozeman, Mont. 

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