PHOENIX, Ariz. (Sept. 7, 2025) -Â The Northern Arizona women's volleyball team wrapped up the GCU Classic in style, defeating in-state rivals and hosts Grand Canyon 3-1 (25-21, 25-23, 19-25, 25-11).
"It was a fun match today between two good teams. We were very strong on defense and I think we really leaned into that phase as a source of our identity," head coach Ken Murphy said.
The Lumberjacks took control early in the first set, pulling ahead 15-11 with key kills from Hanah Stoddard, Kylie Moran, Masina Perez, Sophia Wadsworth, and Gigi Greenlee. The Lopes fought back, tying the set at 16-16, but NAU went on a 6-1 scoring run, including kills from Perez and Greenlee, to take a 22-17 lead. The 'Jacks held off GCU, finishing the set at 25-21 with a .382 hitting percentage. A service ace from Moran and a closing kill by Stoddard sealed the set, handing GCU its first set one loss of the season.
The Lopes came out strong in the second set, jumping to a 4-1 lead. NAU answered with a 6-2 run, tying the set at 14-14. GCU regained the lead, 22-19, before junior libero Bella Anderson suffered an injury. The Lumberjacks took advantage, closing the set with a 5-0 run to win 25-23.
GCU regained its footing in the third set, taking another 4-1 lead and holding it throughout. NAU responded with a 3-0 run, featuring kills from freshman Laney Wilson and Stoddard, to narrow the gap to 11-12. However, the Lopes extended their lead with a 4-0 run, moving ahead 16-11. The 'Jacks suffered another blow with an injury to senior outside hitter Moran, but Avery Gottschalk helped bring the team closer, cutting the lead to 19-21. Still, GCU finished strong, winning the set 25-19.
Northern Arizona came out with renewed intensity in the fourth set, starting with a 5-1 run. The Lumberjacks extended their lead to 16-5, thanks to kills from Perez, Greenlee, and Wilson. GCU fought back with a 4-0 run, pulling the score to 16-9, but NAU answered with another 4-0 run. Greenlee contributed with a kill, followed by a block assist with Perez, a kill from Stoddard, and a service ace from Lilly Holmes. GCU made it to 11 points, but NAU closed it out with a block from Wadsworth and Gottschalk, a kill by Wadsworth, and a final error from the Lopes to win 25-11.
The Lumberjacks handed the Lopes their first loss of the season and extended their perfect 24-0 all-time series record dating back to 1981. Northern Arizona progresses to 4-2, 0-0 (Big Sky) on the season while GCU moves to 5-1, 0-0 (Mountain West).
"I was especially proud of the way we responded when Kylie went out. We definitely focused on the things we could still do in a different lineup rather than letting it affect us," said Murphy.
Moran recorded five kills, a service ace, and nine digs. Perez and Gottschalk were key at the net, with four and three blocks, respectively. Ella Hosfeld totaled 30 assists, while Hall added 12. Barlow contributed 13 digs and five assists.
Stoddard secured another double-double with 20 kills, 16 digs, and a .400 hitting percentage. She was named to the GCU Classic All-Tournament Team after totaling 55 kills, hitting .291, averaging five kills per set, and recording double-doubles in all three matches.
Greenlee also earned All-Tournament honors with 15 total blocks over the three matches, averaging 1.36 blocks per set.
"It was a great weekend for our team," Murphy said. "We are learning from each match and coming back better the next day. I'm so impressed with the toughness of this group."
Up next, Northern Arizona will host its home opener from Sept. 11-13 for the Lumberjack Classic, with UC San Diego, Texas Tech, and Southern Utah in attendance. Tickets are available here, and questions can be directed to LumberjackTicketOffice@nau.edu.
Stay up to date with the Northern Arizona women's volleyball team by following the 'Jacks on Instagram and X.
