BOZEMAN, Mont. (November 7, 2026) - The Lumberjacks axed the 'Cats on Saturday night inside Shroyer Gym, as Northern Arizona volleyball delivered a dominant performance to complete a 3-0 sweep over Montana State (25-12, 25-20, 25-11).

NAU controlled the match from start to finish, outhitting the Bobcats .474 to .080 while recording 43 kills to Montana State's 26. The Lumberjacks also held the advantage at the service line with seven aces compared to four and at the net with five total blocks to MSU's one. NAU's offensive efficiency was particularly impressive, committing just six attack errors across the match while Montana State recorded 19.

Quincey Coyle led the Lumberjacks' offensive attack with a match-high 20 kills on an outstanding .581 hitting percentage, committing just two errors on 31 attempts. Hanah Stoddard followed with eight kills, four service aces and a team-high 11 digs. Gigi Greenlee added six kills while hitting .385 and contributed three block assists. Ella Hosfeld guided the offense with a team-high 17 assists, while Taryn Davis added 13 assists, six digs and a service ace. Kate Federico paced the back row with 14 digs. At the net, Avery Gottschalk recorded a solo block and a block assist, while Greenlee led NAU with three block assists.

The Lumberjacks came out firing in the opening set, jumping out to a 5-0 lead. After Gottschalk opened the scoring with a block, Stoddard followed with three service aces to put Montana State on its heels. NAU continued to capitalize on the Bobcats' struggles, building a 12-6 advantage before extending the lead to 17-8. Coyle took over offensively during the stretch, recording back-to-back kills to help push the advantage to 17-8. The 'Jacks continued to apply pressure, with Coyle finishing the set with six kills on nine attempts without committing an error. NAU hit an impressive .737 as a team in the opening frame, recording 14 kills without a single attack error before closing out the 25-12 victory.

Northern Arizona carried its momentum into the second set, earning a 25-20 victory to take a 2-0 lead in the match. The Lumberjacks gradually created separation in a more competitive frame, using a balanced offensive attack to maintain control. After Montana State pulled within 11-12, Stoddard responded with back-to-back kills to extend NAU's lead to 15-11. She added a service ace moments later, helping the Lumberjacks maintain their advantage at 17-13. Coyle continued to be a difference-maker, recording nine kills in the set, including two consecutive kills during a stretch that helped NAU build a 20-15 lead. Montana State made a late push, trimming the deficit to 19-22, but NAU remained composed. Greenlee and Lauren Edlund combined for a block to help bring the Lumberjacks to set point before Edlund delivered the final kill to seal the 25-20 win. NAU finished the set hitting .406 with 18 kills.

The Lumberjacks saved another commanding performance for the third set, closing out the sweep with a 25-11 victory. After the teams traded points early, NAU began to create separation with a strong combination of defensive pressure and offensive execution. Greenlee and Masina Perez teamed up for a block to help swing momentum in the 'Jacks favor, while Federico added a service ace to extend the advantage to 9-5. Coyle and Stoddard continued to find success offensively, helping the Lumberjacks build a 13-7 lead. NAU continued to pull away, with Lilly Holmes contributing a service ace and Perez adding a kill as the Lumberjacks stretched their lead to 17-8. Davis added a service ace during a late 5-0 scoring run that helped NAU move ahead 22-9. The Lumberjacks finished the set with 11 kills on 27 attempts while limiting Montana State to a .000 hitting percentage. Stoddard delivered the final kill to cap off the 25-11 victory and complete the three-set sweep.

With the win, NAU improves to 17-9 overall and 10-4 in Big Sky Conference play, while Montana State falls to 15-10 overall and 8-6 in conference action. The Lumberjacks will return to action for their final two regular-season home matches at the Rolle Activity Center, hosting Weber State on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m. MST before celebrating Senior Day against Idaho State on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. MST. Both matches will be available to watch live on ESPN+. NAU will then hit the road for its final trip of the regular season, facing Utah Tech and Southern Utah, before returning to Flagstaff to host the Big Sky Conference Tournament from Nov. 23-25.
 

Stay up to date with Northern Arizona volleyball by following the Lumberjacks on X and Instagram.