FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 19, 2025) – The Northern Arizona women's volleyball team (22-6, 12-3 Big Sky) hits the road for its final regular season match, facing Northern Colorado (14-14, 11-4 Big Sky) on Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. MST.
The Lumberjacks enter the week on a high note after completing an undefeated 11-0 home slate this season. NAU pulled off a reverse sweep over preseason favorite Weber State last Thursday before securing a historic 3-1 win over Idaho State on Saturday.
In the latter match, the second set became the highest scoring set in the NCAA this season, with NAU outlasting ISU 44-42. It ranks as the fifth highest scoring set in NCAA history.
Redshirt senior Sophia Wadsworth earned this week's Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week honor. Across the two matches, she recorded 24 kills, averaging 2.67 per set while hitting at an efficient .383 clip. She was the most effective front row hitter for the 'Jacks in both outings. During the incredible 86 point second set against ISU, Wadsworth hit .500 and played a key role in NAU's Senior Day victory, which secured at least a share of the Big Sky regular season title. The last time NAU won the regular season championship was in 2018, with previous titles in 2015 and 2000, making this the third under head coach Ken Murphy.
Northern Colorado enters the matchup after sweeping Idaho State and defeating Weber State 3-1. Three Bears recorded double digit kills in their most recent match, with Isabel Bennett and Bella Van Lannen each tallying 13.
The last meeting between the two teams took place on Oct. 24, when NAU swept the Bears 27-25, 25-22, 28-26. It marked the Lumberjacks' first reclaiming of the Blue and Gold Battle trophy since 2022. UNC leads the all-time series 25-13, dating back to 1976.
Northern Arizona currently tops the conference standings, holding opponents to just a .155 hitting percentage. The 'Jacks also lead the Big Sky in digs, averaging 16.90 per set, led by libero Melia Barlow at 3.68 per set (sixth in the Big Sky). Kylie Moran ranks eighth with 3.35, and Hanah Stoddard rounds out the top ten at 3.29.
Stoddard is also second in the conference in kills (3.96 per set) and points (4.38), and she is tied for ninth in service aces with setter Keira Hall, averaging 0.29 per set.
Gigi Greenlee sits second in blocks with 1.20 per set and ranks third in hitting percentage at .373.
With a win on Friday, NAU will secure the No. 1 seed for next week's Big Sky Conference Tournament and earn hosting rights to the 2026 tournament. The match will be available to stream via ESPN+.
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