FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (September 26, 2026) - The Northern Arizona women's volleyball team battled Utah Tech to five sets on Saturday, ultimately falling 25-22, 20-25, 17-25, 25-14, 10-15.
The Lumberjacks move to 8-6 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while the Trailblazers improve to 9-3 overall and 2-0 in conference action.
Hanah Stoddard led the Lumberjacks offensively with 12 kills and 15 digs, followed by Quincey Coyle with 10 kills and a service ace. Avery Gottschalk added seven kills, seven total blocks and two aces, while Gigi Greenlee contributed seven blocks and Masina Perez added four. Setters Ella Hosfeld and Taryn Davis each recorded 18 assists to help distribute the offense. Davis also led the match with 20 digs, while libero Kate Federico tallied 14 digs and seven assists.
The Trailblazers came out strong in the opening set, racing to a 4-0 lead before a block from Greenlee and Stoddard put NAU on the board. A kill and ace from Gottschalk, along with kills from Coyle and Stoddard, helped the Lumberjacks even the score at 11-11. NAU briefly took the lead, 12-11, following a Coyle ace, but Utah Tech answered to go ahead 14-13. The Lumberjacks then found their rhythm, erupting for a 6-0 run that featured blocks from Gottschalk, Perez and Laney Wilson, along with kills from Stoddard, to take a 20-17 advantage. The teams traded points down the stretch, but NAU held on to take the opening set 25-22 on a block from Stoddard.
The second set remained close early, with the teams trading points and battling through several ties before NAU built a 19-16 lead. Utah Tech, however, responded with a late surge, closing the set on a 9-1 run to take the frame 25-20 and even the match at one set apiece.
Utah Tech carried that momentum into the third set, building an early 8-4 advantage. The Lumberjacks continued to chip away, with kills from Georgi Stein, Stoddard and Gottschalk helping NAU remain within striking distance. A pair of Trailblazer errors helped the 'Jacks pull within 20-16, but Utah Tech answered with four consecutive points to regain control. NAU continued to battle until the final point, but the Trailblazers took the set 25-17 to move ahead 2-1.
The Lumberjacks responded emphatically in the fourth set, jumping out to an early 5-1 lead and maintaining pressure as Utah Tech struggled to slow NAU's attack. After the Trailblazers pulled within 14-12, NAU erupted for a 7-1 run, highlighted by kills from Wilson and Coyle and a block from Gottschalk and Wilson. Utah Tech answered with a kill to make it 21-14, but the Lumberjacks closed strong, scoring the final four points, including a block from Greenlee and Perez to win the set 25-14 and force a decisive fifth set.
NAU and Utah Tech battled point-for-point in the deciding frame, with the Lumberjacks taking an early 3-1 lead before the Trailblazers answered with a 6-1 point run. NAU remained within one at 9-8, with Greenlee, Gottschalk and Perez making key plays to keep the Lumberjacks within striking distance. Utah Tech managed to create separation late, however, scoring the final two points to take the fifth set 15-10 and secure the match.
Up next, the 'Jacks will continue with Big Sky play on the road, paying visits to Idaho State on Oct.1 and Weber State on Oct. 3. Catch the live stream on ESPN+ and follow live stats via StatBroadcast.
Stay up to date with the Northern Arizona women's volleyball team by following the 'Jacks on Instagram and X.
