Unstoppable at Home: NAU Wins Blue and Gold Battle, Sweeps UNC to Climb to No. 1

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 24, 2025) - The Northern Arizona volleyball team claimed full control of the Big Sky Conference standings with a dominant sweep over Northern Colorado on Thursday night inside Rolle Activity Center, winning the annual Blue and Gold Battle 27-25, 25-22, 28-26.

With both teams entering the night tied atop the league at 6-2, the Lumberjacks' straight-sets victory improved them to 17-5 overall and 7-2 in Big Sky play, giving them sole possession of first place. Northern Colorado moves to 9-12 overall and 6-3 in conference.

"This was a fantastic game for us for our seniors," head coach Ken Murphy said. "Kylie played one of her best matches of the year so far, Sophia really responded to the moment and Keira was the great leader that she always is. These kids have lost to this team their entire career and it's cool to see them break through."

NAU set the tone early in a hard-fought opening frame, outlasting the Bears in extra points behind a balanced offensive effort. Sophia Wadsworth and Avery Gottschalk formed a dominant wall at the net, combining for several key blocks as NAU totaled 13 team blocks compared to UNC's five. Kylie Moran and Hanah Stoddard delivered timely kills to close the set, with Moran sealing the 27-25 win.

The Lumberjacks continued their momentum in the second set, using a 6-0 run that included two service aces from Stoddard to build an early cushion. NAU's backcourt, led by libero Melia Barlow, steadied the defense while Keira Hall and Ella Hosfeld kept the offense flowing. Moran again came through in the clutch, posting multiple kills down the stretch to secure the 25-22 victory.

The 'Jacks fended off multiple UNC rallies in the final frame, with Gottschalk and Wadsworth recording key blocks. Stoddard tallied her sixth kill of the set before Gottschalk ended the match with a kill at 28-26.

Moran led the Lumberjacks with 12 kills, while Stoddard added 10 and Wadsworth eight. Gottschalk was a force defensively with eight blocks and contributed key kills throughout the night. Hall finished with a match-high 21 assists, followed by Hosfeld with 16, while Barlow anchored the back row with 14 digs.

Northern Arizona hit .188 as a team and controlled the match at the net and service line, out-blocking and out-acing the Bears while maintaining composure in every tight moment.

With the sweep, NAU not only claimed back the Blue and Gold Battle trophy for the first time since 2022, but also moved to the top of the Big Sky standings as the conference season enters its final stretch.

The Lumberjacks host Montana on Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. MST for its Astrojacks match, and Montana State on Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. MST.
 

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