FARMINGTON, Utah (August 19, 2026) - With the 2026 volleyball season fast approaching, the Big Sky Conference has announced the results of its Preseason Coaches' Poll, with the 2025 Big Sky Conference tournament champion, Northern Colorado, selected as the preseason favorite. Northern Arizona followed closely in second, just three points behind.
The Lumberjacks enter the season after claiming the 2025 regular-season title with a 23-7 overall record and a 13-3 mark in conference play. The 'Jacks were perfect at home last season, going 11-0 at Rolle Activity Center in Flagstaff.
The Big Sky also announced its Preseason All-Conference Team, with NAU outside hitter Hanah Stoddard earning Preseason MVP honors. Stoddard was named Big Sky Conference Co-MVP and a First-Team All-Conference selection following the 2025 season. She also earned AVCA Pacific Region Honorable Mention and AVCA All-American Honorable Mention honors.
Stoddard led the Lumberjacks with 461 kills and ranked second in the Big Sky with 3.97 kills per set, while also joining NAU's 1,000-kill club. She added 376 digs for an average of 3.24 per set, good for 10th in the conference, and recorded 24 double-doubles during the 2025 season. Stoddard also led NAU with 34 service aces and ranked second in the Big Sky in scoring at 4.39 points per set.
Fellow Lumberjack Gigi Greenlee also earned a spot on the Preseason All-Conference Team. The middle blocker was named to the Big Sky First Team following her 2025 campaign. Greenlee ranked second in the conference with a .370 hitting percentage and recorded a season-best .750 mark against Idaho.
Greenlee anchored NAU at the net, leading the team with 138.0 total blocks and ranking second in the conference with 1.19 blocks per set. She recorded a career-best nine blocks twice, at Portland State and against Houston Christian. Greenlee also ranked second on the team with 268 kills, averaging 2.31 per set, and recorded a season-high 16 kills against Montana State.
The preseason poll and Preseason All-Conference Team were voted on by the league's 10 head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own team.
The 2026 Big Sky Volleyball Championship is set for Nov. 23-25 at Rolle Activity Center in Flagstaff, Ariz. The 2026 season officially gets underway Friday, Aug. 28, with all 11 teams in action.
Catch the Lumberjacks in action with season and single-match tickets are available to purchase here.
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Preseason MVP
Hanah Stoddard, Northern Arizona
Preseason All-Conference Team
Hanah Stoddard, Northern Arizona (Preseason MVP)
Rose Moore, Weber State
Delaney Russell, Montana
Jaydin Watts, Idaho State
Alayna Tessena, Northern Colorado
Gigi Greenlee, Northern Arizona
Alivia Eikenberg, Portland State
Joelie Spelts, Montana State
Nerea Alvarez Jorge, Northern Colorado
Teagan Jaynes, Montana State
Gracie Cagle, Montana
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Northern Colorado (4) - 88
2. Northern Arizona (4) - 85
T3. Idaho State - 72
T3. Montana (2) - 72
5.  Weber State - 69
6.  Montana State - 61
7.  Utah Tech (1) - 57
8.  Portland State - 43
9.  Idaho - 25
10. Eastern Washington - 18
11. Southern Utah - 15
