FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (September 11, 2026) - Northern Arizona (5-4, 0-0 Big Sky) pushed Grand Canyon (5-3, 0-0 Mountain West) to the limit Friday night, but the Lopes outlasted the Lumberjacks in a five-set battle, 3-2 (20-25, 25-20, 25-14, 20-25, 15-11), inside Rolle Activity Center. The teams combined for 16 ties and eight lead changes throughout the match, with momentum swinging several times before Grand Canyon escaped in the decisive fifth set, snapping Northern Arizona's 15-match home winning streak.
Northern Arizona controlled the opening set behind one of its most efficient offensive performances of the night, hitting .462 while recording 19 kills. The teams traded points through eight ties at 10-10 before the Lumberjacks created separation with a 6-2 run to go up 16-12. Hanah Stoddard and Quincey Coyle fueled the attack throughout the set, and Avery Gottschalk closed the frame with a service ace to give NAU the early 1-0 match advantage.
The Lumberjacks opened set two with a 7-1 advantage before the Lopes retaliated with 10 straight points to take the lead themselves. Kills from Stoddard, Coyle, Gigi Greenlee and a Taryn Davis ace helped the 'Jacks get back within two points (15-13), but GCU edged further away with a 4-0 run to go up 19-13. Gottschalk and Stoddard secured kills as part of a 6-1 run that put NAU within one point (20-19), but Grand Canyon scored four of the final five points to even the match at one set apiece.
The third set belonged to Grand Canyon from the outset. The Lopes raced to a 6-1 lead and never allowed Northern Arizona to mount a comeback, holding the Lumberjacks to a -.054 hitting percentage while cruising to a 25-14 victory. It was the only set without a tie score or lead change as Grand Canyon took a 2-1 lead in the match.
With the match on the line, Northern Arizona answered in the fourth set. The opening points were closely contested before the Lumberjacks used a 7-1 run to turn a one-point lead into a 12-7 advantage. During the surge, Coyle recorded a pair of kills, Stoddard added another, and Laney Wilson and Masina Perez each contributed kills to help NAU build separation. Grand Canyon battled back to pull within one point at 13-12, but the Lumberjacks answered every challenge. Stoddard delivered three more kills down the stretch, while Coyle added another key point to help Northern Arizona maintain its lead and close out the 25-20 set victory to force a decisive fifth.
The fifth set was a fitting finish to a tightly contested match. After three early ties, Grand Canyon used a mid-set run to open a four-point cushion. Northern Arizona answered each challenge and stayed within striking distance late, but the Lumberjacks ultimately came up just short as the Lopes closed out the 15-11 win to claim the match.
Stoddard led the Lumberjacks with 22 kills while adding 20 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Coyle also turned in a double-double with 18 kills and a team-high 29 digs, while Ella Hosfeld orchestrated the offense with 32 assists. Lilly Holmes anchored the back row with 25 digs, and the Lumberjacks finished with 95 digs and eight team blocks in the five-set effort.
Northern Arizona will return to action next week, competing in the USF Challenge, going head-to-head with California Baptist on Sept. 17, San Francisco on Sept. 18 and Texas Southern on Sept. 19.
Stay up to date with the Northern Arizona women's volleyball team by following the 'Jacks on Instagram and X.
