WEEKLY NOTEBOOK (PDF)
Sacramento State (20-8, 11-1): The Hornets saw their 10-game conference winning streak come to an end on the road against NAU. However, Sacramento State was able to get a win against Southern Utah to remain atop the conference and the Big Sky’s South Division. Senior setter Kennedy Kurtz tallied 100 assists over two matches last week and moved to fourth all-time in Big Sky history with 1,134 total assists. The Hornets will face Montana State and Portland State at home this week.
North Dakota (24-5, 9-3): North Dakota defeated Montana, but later faltered to Montana State, which snapped the Fighting Hawks 20-game home winning streak. Even with the loss, UND was able to punch its ticket to the Big Sky volleyball championships. North Dakota leads the conference in dig average with 19.07 digs per set as a team. The Fighting Hawks will play a non-conference game against No. 19 Iowa State on Monday, followed by contests against Eastern Washington and Idaho.
Portland State (18-6, 9-3): Portland State edged Southern Utah 3-1 before falling to Northern Arizona on the road. Portland State also claimed one of the eight spots in the Big Sky volleyball championship tournament. The Vikings lead the league in both kill average (15.15 kills/s) and assist average (14.59 assists/s) in conference matches. The Viks will host Montana on Thursday and travel to Sacramento State on Saturday.
Idaho (13-10, 8-4): Idaho lost to Idaho State, but swept Eastern Washington last week. The Vandals continue to lead the league in hitting percentage in conference matches (.297) and over all matches (.267). Outside hitter Kaela Straw leads the Vandals and ranks fourth in the Big Sky with 3.63 kills per set. Idaho will host both Northern Colorado and North Dakota this week.
Idaho State (11-14, 8-4): Idaho State picked up two key victories against Idaho and Weber State last week as the Bengals punched their ticket to the Big Sky volleyball championships. Idaho State has won eight out of its last 10 matches and is led by sophomore Haylie Keck who ranks second in the league in digs (441) and dig average (4.74 digs per set) in all matches this season. The Bengals will play both Southern Utah and Northern Arizona on the road this week.
Northern Arizona (11-12, 7-5): Northern Arizona enjoyed some home cooking last week as the Lumberjacks scored a pair of victories over Sacramento State and Portland State. In NAU’s marathon match over Sacramento State, setter Abby Stomp dished out 62 assists, helping teammate Kaylie Jorgenson record 26 kills. Northern Arizona hopes to continue its domination at home as it hosts Weber State and Idaho State this week.
Northern Colorado (13-12, 6-6): The Bears swept both Montana State and Montana last week. Northern Colorado was led by freshman Jadyn McCartney who notched 25 kills over two matches. The Bears will look to trend upward as they face Idaho and Eastern Washington on the road this week.
Montana State (8-13, 4-8): Montana State lost to Northern Colorado on Thursday, but snapped North Dakota’s 20-game winning streak on Saturday in a thrilling 3-2 victory. In the upset of North Dakota, senior middle blocker Kiana Black peeled off 20 kills. The Bobcats will continue the season on the road against Sacramento State and Montana this week.
Weber State (6-18, 4-8): Weber State swept Eastern Washington and lost a five-set heartbreaker to Idaho State last week. Outside hitter Andrea Hale put up big offensive numbers, recording 45 kills for a .453 hitting percentage over two matches. Weber State will take the court next against Northern Arizona and Southern Utah on the road.
Eastern Washington (6-15, 3-9): The Eagles lost a pair of matches to Weber State and Idaho last week. In conference matches, Eastern Washington ranks third in the conference with its 17.53 digs per set average as a team. EWU will face North Dakota and Northern Colorado at home this week.
Montana (7-18, 2-10): The Lady Griz lost a pair of matches to North Dakota and Northern Colorado last week. Setter Ashley Watkins leads all Big Sky sophomores with a 9.53 assist per set average. Montana will face Portland State and Montana State this week.
Southern Utah (6-18, 1-11): The Thunderbirds dropped a pair of matches to Portland State and Sacramento State last week. Outside hitter MaCail Evans led the charge offensively for the T-Birds as she logged 27 total kills and hit above .340 in each match. Southern Utah will host Idaho State and Weber State this week.