FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 1, 2025) - Continuing its road trip, the Northern Arizona women's volleyball team will face Montana State on Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. MST and Montana on Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. MST. Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.
The Lumberjacks currently sit atop the Big Sky standings with an overall record of 12-2 and a perfect 2-0 in conference play, despite being picked to finish seventh in the preseason poll. Last week, NAU swept both Idaho and Idaho State.
Northern Arizona leads the Big Sky in hitting percentage (.252), while Hanah Stoddard tops the conference in both kills (4.51 per set) and points (4.94 per set), and ranks fifth in digs (3.75 per set). Gigi Greenlee leads the Big Sky in blocks (1.39 per set) and is fourth in hitting percentage (.394). Melia Barlow ranks seventh in digs (3.40 per set), while Keira Hall is 10th in assists (5.47 per set).
Montana State enters the weekend at 6-7 overall and 1-1 in conference play. The Bobcats earned a 3-2 win over Eastern Washington before falling 0-3 to Portland State. MSU ranks second in the Big Sky in service aces, recording 87 over 49 sets (1.78 per set).
Lauren Lindseth leads the conference in digs, averaging 4.43 per set, and ranks seventh in service aces (0.37 per set). Teagan James is third in assists (8.68 per set) and fourth in aces (0.41 per set). Offensively, Karli Heidemann paces the Bobcats with 3.08 kills per set (ninth in the Big Sky) and 3.62 points per set (seventh).
Last season, NAU and MSU split their meetings. The Lumberjacks dropped a 3-0 match in Bozeman on Sept. 28 but rebounded with a 3-1 win in Flagstaff on Oct. 19. In the all-time series, NAU leads Montana State 44-31.
Live stats for Thursday's match can be found here.
Montana has been on a hot streak, winning 10 consecutive matches - tied for the fifth-longest win streak in program history. The Grizzlies opened conference play last week by sweeping defending tournament champion Sacramento State at home and following with another sweep on the road against Idaho. It marks the first time since 1990 that Montana has opened Big Sky play with back-to-back sweeps.
UM leads the conference in kills per set, averaging 13.65 (43 total sets), while NAU is close behind at 13.29 (52 total sets). Montana has scored 749 total points for a 17.42 per set average, while NAU leads has scored 879.5 points for 17.25 per set. In digs, Montana has 725 for 16.86 per set, while NAU has tallied 855 for 16.76 per set.
Delaney Russell was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week after leading Montana with 3.24 kills per set while hitting .168. She has reached double-digit kills in seven matches this season.
Montana leads the conference in total weekly honors this season. Sacramento State has three, while Portland State and Northern Arizona each have two.
NAU leads the all-time series with Montana 38-36. The Grizzlies are 19-15 against the Lumberjacks in Missoula and have won two straight at home. The 'Jacks won the most recent meeting in October 2024.
Live stats for Saturday's match can be found here.
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