FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 13, 2025) -Â The Northern Arizona women's volleyball team defeated Weber State in a five-set thriller in conference play Thursday evening (18-25, 16-25, 25-11, 25-12, 15-12).
The 'Jacks now stand at 20-6 overall and 10-3 in Big Sky action, maintaining the top spot on the leaderboard, while the Wildcats move to 15-10, 7-6. NAU remains unbeaten at home this season with only one match left to host.
"This was a tough game, but they figured it out, turned it around, and neutralized their serving," head coach Ken Murphy said, highlighting the team's effort to bounce back after an initial two-set disadvantage.
The Lumberjacks fell short in an intense first set, where the Wildcats dominated, though NAU still managed to surpass the visitors in total kills with 14. Weber State held the longest point lead with a four-point scoring streak. The set ended on an NAU attack error, giving the Wildcats a 25-18 win.
In the second set, the Lumberjacks continued to struggle offensively, hitting .194 to WSU's .367. The Wildcats jumped out to a 14-4 lead before NAU responded with a 6-1 run fueled by kills from Hanah Stoddard and Avery Gottschalk and a service ace from Melia Barlow to cut the deficit to five. Weber State maintained control, and another NAU attack error ended the set 25-16, putting the Wildcats ahead 2-0.
Starting the third set, the Lumberjacks gained momentum and outclassed the Wildcats with an impressive 14-3 scoring streak. During this run, Gigi Greenlee and Laney Wilson anchored the defense, each registering a block and a kill, while Kylie Moran added a kill of her own. The 'Jacks later forced multiple Wildcat errors in a 6-1 surge. Kills by Moran and Greenlee secured the set 25-11, as NAU held WSU to a -.179 hitting percentage.
The Lumberjacks opened the fourth set with a six-point lead, capitalizing on a Weber State service error to start the scoring. Barlow delivered back-to-back service aces midway through the set to push NAU ahead 16-14. The Wildcats clawed back to within 17-10, but an emphatic 8-2 run by the 'Jacks closed out the set and evened the match at 2-2.
In the decisive fifth set, Stoddard sparked the action with an opening kill. Weber State responded with a 6-3 lead and reached double digits first at 10-6. The Lumberjacks surged late, closing out the match on a 9-2 run that included a key block by Gottschalk and Wilson and kills from Stoddard and Wadsworth to seal the 15-12 victory. NAU posted its best hitting percentage of the match in the final frame at .348.
The Lumberjacks finished with an impressive 58 kills. Stoddard led the way with a double-double of 16 kills and 14 digs. Wadsworth followed with 12 kills and three blocks, while Moran tallied nine kills and 16 digs. At the net, Greenlee notched five blocks and Gottschalk added four. Setter Keira Hall recorded 26 assists, with Ella Hosfeld contributing 18. Libero Barlow delivered three service aces along with seven assists and 15 digs.
Northern Arizona will look to extend its first-place standing as it hosts Idaho State this Saturday for Senior Night at 11 a.m. MST in the Rolle Activity Center. The penultimate regular-season match will be available to stream on ESPN+, with live stats also available.
Stay up to date with the Northern Arizona women's volleyball team by following the 'Jacks on Instagram and X.
