FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Sept. 13, 2025) - The Northern Arizona women's volleyball team completed its third sweep of the Lumberjack Classic, defeating Southern Utah in straight sets, 25-15, 25-20, 25-19.
NAU opened the first set with a consistent push after taking an early 3-1 lead, helped by two SUU attack errors. Despite briefly falling behind 4-6, the Lumberjacks responded with an 11-1 run, fueled by Laney Wilson's aggressive serving, which included four service aces, to take a commanding 15-7 lead. NAU maintained control, stretching the gap to 19-10 through strong blocking and additional SUU errors. Kills by Avery Gottschalk and Sophia Wadsworth extended the lead to 22-12. Gigi Greenlee secured set point at 24-13, and Masina Perez followed with a kill to close out the set, 25-15.
Set two was a back-and-forth battle early on, with the score tied five times before Northern Arizona began to pull away. Wilson and Stoddard each delivered key kills as NAU took an 8-5 lead, following a block from Perez and Gottschalk. SUU responded with a 3-0 run to even the score at 8-8, but Stoddard again gave NAU the edge. Although the set remained tight with ties at 10, 13, and 18, NAU stayed composed and pulled ahead 21-19 after kills by Wadsworth and Wilson. Following a Thunderbird timeout, a Wilson-Greenlee block pushed the lead to 22-19. A kill by Greenlee and a final SUU error sealed the set, 25-20.
Northern Arizona controlled set three with consistent offense and strong net play, opening on a 5-2 run that featured kills from Wilson and Greenlee, along with a block by Wadsworth and Greenlee. After SUU closed the gap to 6-5, NAU responded with a 3-0 run, capitalizing on a setting error and a hitting miscue to lead 9-5. Wadsworth and Stoddard continued to apply pressure, and although SUU tied it again at 12-12, NAU quickly regained control with a Wilson kill and a Gottschalk block. A late 5-1 push, including another Perez and Stoddard kill and Wadsworth's finisher, secured the set 25-19 and a 3-0 match sweep.
The Lumberjacks hit at a .295 clip, compared to the Thunderbirds .061. Stoddard led the 'Jacks offensively, who recorded a match-high 12 kills while also contributing eight digs and an assist. Wadsworth and Wilson added seven kills each, with Wilson also delivering a match-best four service aces and five digs. At the net, Greenlee led with five blocks, followed closely by Gottschalk with four and Perez with three. Setter Ella Hosfeld paced the offense with 18 assists, while Keira Hall added 16. Libero Melia Barlow anchored the defense with six digs, helping to hold off Southern Utah's attack throughout the match.
Up next, Northern Arizona will visit the University of South Carolina Upstate on Sept. 18 at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Standard time.
Stay up to date with the Northern Arizona women's volleyball team by following the 'Jacks on Instagram and X.
