ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (August 30, 2025) - The Northern Arizona women's volleyball team claimed two wins at the Lobo Invitational to get the 2025 season started.
"It was a good first weekend for us," head coach Ken Murphy said. "I really liked the way we competed and took the challenge of three matches with a relatively short turnaround."
MATCH ONE: NAU 3, Houston Christian 0
Northern Arizona opened the match strong with back-to-back blocks from Gigi Greenlee and Masina Perez to grab an early lead over Houston Christian. Hanah Stoddard added kills to extend the advantage, while NAU's defense forced multiple HCU errors. Houston Christian stayed close, tying the first set at 6-6. From there, NAU regained control with kills from Stoddard, Avery Gottschalk and Sophia Wadsworth, plus a service ace from Keira Hall. Consistent blocking from Greenlee and Kylie Moran closed out the frame as NAU sealed the set, 25-16.
In set two, the 'Jacks gained momentum early with a service ace by Melia Barlow to lead 3-1. A service ace by Ella Hosfeld pushed the score to 10-5. Greenlee and Perez combined for several blocks, and another ace from Barlow extended the lead to 17-9. NAU's defense held strong, and a block by Greenlee and Perez sealed the set 25-15.
NAU took early control in set three with kills from Greenlee and Gottschalk, plus a block by Perez to go up, 5-2. Greenlee delivered back-to-back kills and a block for a 15-9 lead. Barlow's third service ace of the match made it 22-13. Finally, a kill by Stoddard secured the 25-14 win, completing the Lumberjacks' sweep of the Huskies and the first victory of the new season.
Stoddard led the 'Jacks with 12 kills while Wadsworth and Greenlee had seven each. Stoddard also had 11 digs for a double-double. Of NAU's seven aces, Barlow had three, Moran had two and Hall had one. Greenlee totaled nine blocks, followed by Perez with five. Hosfeld had a double-double, securing 17 assists and 14 digs.
MATCH TWO: New Mexico 3, NAU 2
NAU battled point-for-point early in set one against New Mexico, with kills from Stoddard, Moran and Wadsworth keeping the score even at 13-13. A momentum shift began with a service ace by Hosfeld, followed by a series of kills from Greenlee, Perez and Stoddard to build a 21-16 lead. A Stoddard kill sealed the 25-17 win.
Set two saw a back-and-forth battle, with NAU staying close behind kills from Stoddard and Wadsworth. Greenlee and Perez combined for a big block to make it 10-8. NAU made a three point run to get within 18-21, but UNM came back with a three point run of their own to get to 24-18. A final service error handed UNM the 25-19 win.
The Lobos jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in set three, forcing the Lumberjacks to play catch-up. Despite kills from Stoddard and Wadsworth, and a crucial block from Greenlee and Perez to close the gap to 12-10, New Mexico kept its edge. An attack error ended the frame, 25-16, in favor of UNM.
Trailing 2-1 in the match, NAU prevailed in a tightly-contested fourth set featuring 15 ties. A pair of UNM kills secured two kills put the Lobos at match point, 26-25, but Wadsworth posted consecutive kills and a clutch service ace by Stoddard clinched the win and forced a decisive fifth set.
The fifth set was intense, with both teams exchanging leads throughout. UNM started strong with an early 4-0 lead, but NAU quickly responded. A service ace from Hosfeld put the 'Jacks within two at 6-4. A Stoddard kill and UNM error squared up the set at 8-8. The set remained tied at 10-10 and 12-12, before the Lobos ultimately pulled ahead and sealed the match with a 15-13 set victory.
Stoddard led all players in kills and doubled her Friday morning performance with a total of 25, while recording another double-double with 12 digs. Hosfeld led the Lumberjacks in three areas: aces (two), assists (29) and digs (14). Gottschalk, Greenlee and Perez all had five blocks each.
MATCH THREE: NAU 3, Manhattan 0
The Lumberjacks faced Manhattan Saturday morning in the final match of the tournament, and it marked the first all-time meeting between the two teams..
In set one, NAU led early with kills from Stoddard and Gottschalk, taking a 5-2 lead. After Manhattan tied the score at 6-6, NAU responded with a service ace by Gottschalk and kills from Greenlee and Moran to build a 16-9 lead. Two kills from Perez helped put NAU ahead 24-12 before an error made by both teams, respectively, ended the set 25-13 in NAU's favor.
The second set saw the score tied at 4-4 before NAU had a 20-2 scoring run. The Jaspers pushed back with back-to-back points before an attack error ended the set 25-8. The 'Jacks had an attack percentage of .500 in the second set.
Northern Arizona began the third set with a 5-1 run. By the time the Lumberjacks led 12-5, the Jaspers battled with a 5-0 run to close the gap to 12-10. Kills by Greenlee and Stoddard helped to keep NAU ahead by seven at 22-15 and the 'Jacks finished the weekend with a 25-18 victory, completing their second sweep.
Greenlee led in kills with 12, along with two blocks. Stoddard secured four aces and 13 digs. Hosfeld had 18 assists and Hall added 15. The Lumberjacks hit .295 compared to Manhattan's -.080.
Stoddard and Wadsworth were both named to the All-Tournament Team. Stoddard totalled 43 kills for an average of 3.91 kills per set, five service aces, 36 digs and three total blocks. Wadsworth totalled 24 kills, nine digs, one block solo and six block assists.
"For this early in the season, I'm impressed with the maturity we are showing and awareness of how to play our style of volleyball," Murphy said. "We are showing signs of being a very good defensive team and a team that is difficult to play against. We're excited to get back to work this week and keep building on what we've started."
The Lumberjacks (2-1) will compete in the GCU Invite in Phoenix, Ariz. from Sept. 5-7. NAU will face in-state rival and host Grand Canyon, as well as East Texas A&M and Washington State.
Stay up to date with the Northern Arizona women's volleyball team by following the 'Jacks on Instagram and X.
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