Northern Arizona Prepares For Idaho And Eastern Washington At Home
The Northern Arizona women’s volleyball team hosts Idaho on Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. MST and Eastern Washington on Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. MST. Both matches stream on ESPN+. The Lumberjacks enter the week looking to rebound from a pair of losses last week.
Recent Losses Test Lumberjacks In Big Sky Play
Northern Arizona holds a 13-9 overall record and a 6-4 mark in Big Sky Conference play. Last week, the Lumberjacks suffered a 3-2 home loss to Portland State despite recording 14 total team blocks. Set scores in that match ended 21-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-22, and 12-15. On the road against Northern Colorado, NAU dropped a four-set decision with scores of 22-25, 14-25, 25-22, and 23-25. The team averages 12.1 kills per set with a .207 hitting percentage and ranks second in the conference in digs with 16.29 per set.
Key Statistics And Individual Leaders
Outside hitter Hanah Stoddard leads Northern Arizona with 320 kills, averaging 3.76 per set, which ranks second in the Big Sky Conference. Stoddard also has 222 digs, averaging 2.61 per set. Middle blocker Gigi Greenlee paces the front line with 1.24 blocks per set, ranking third in the conference, while her .346 hitting percentage places sixth in the Big Sky.
Previous Meeting And Series History Against Idaho
Northern Arizona defeated Idaho in four sets on Oct. 17 during a five-match winning streak. The Lumberjacks dropped the opening set before securing the road victory with a .246 hitting percentage and eight total team blocks. In the all-time series dating back to 1987, NAU leads 29-13 and has won the last eight matches against the Vandals. Idaho enters the matchup with a 12-10 overall record and a 3-7 conference mark following a four-set homecoming win over Southern Utah.
Eastern Washington Matchup And Upcoming Road Trip
Eastern Washington comes to Flagstaff with a 9-13 overall record and a 3-7 Big Sky record after splitting two matches last week. The Eagles defeated Southern Utah in four sets before falling in straight sets to Utah Tech. Eastern Washington leads the all-time series 41-38 in meetings dating back to 1986, though Northern Arizona has won three of the last five encounters. Following the match against Eastern Washington, NAU travels to Montana to face the Montana Grizzlies on Nov. 5 and Montana State on Nov. 7.
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