FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 1, 2024) – The first week of conference play is in the books as teams look ahead to week two. Seven matches will be played across the league beginning on Thursday night.
Big Sky Volleyball Weekly Notes (Week 6)
Week Five Highlights
Idaho State, Portland State, Sacramento State and Weber State all made it through the first week of conference play with a 2-0 record. All three teams picked up a home and road victory through the opening week of Big Sky action.
Idaho State continues to lead the standings with an 11-3 record, their best start to a season since 1987. The Bengals have been led by 2x Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week, Marci Bell, and sophomore Jaydin Watts at the net. Bell and Watts both rank in the Top-10 in the nation in total blocks. Idaho State is currently No. 1 in the Nation in total blocks with 177.
After a big, five-set victory in Greely over Northern Colorado, the Bengals look to keep their momentum going in week two of conference action as they return home for a pair of matches against Montana and Montana State.
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Carisa Barron, Portland State (OH, Sr., Bakersfield, Calif.)
Carisa Barron led the Vikings to a resilient weekend as they opened Big Sky play 2-0. Barron was dominant in both matches in leading the Viking offense over the weekend. Barron recorded a career-high 21 kills on .298 hitting against Idaho on Thursday, then followed that up with 18 kills on .341 hitting on Saturday against the Grizzlies. For the weekend, Barron averaged nearly five kills per set (4.88) while hitting north of .300 (.319). She also had three service aces over the weekend.
Ashlynn Archer, Sacramento State (MB, Jr., St. John, Wash.?)
Ashlynn Archer helped the Hornets to a perfect 2-0 record this past week, which included a Thursday home win over Montana State, and Saturday road victory at Eastern Washington. The middle blocker helped spearhead a Sacramento State defense that limited its opponents to a .178 hitting percentage. She posted match highs in blocks in both contests, finishing the week with an average of 1.75 blocks per set. The St. John, Wash., native tied or set career highs in blocks in both matches.
Three #BigSkyVB Individual Award Winners Return for 2024 Season
Bridgette Smith, 2023 Most Valuable Player, is set to return to the Hornets for her senior season after leading the green and gold to the school's first regular season title since 2017. Smith led the Hornets in kills (434) and points (499) last season, both ranking second in the Big Sky.
Northern Colorado returns a pair of award winners in Big Sky Setter of the Year Syd Cole and Freshman of the Year Gabi Placide. Cole was a staple in the Bear's offense last season recording 1,121 assists, which was the second highest mark in the conference a season ago.
Gabi Placide looks to build on her momentum after a stellar first season with the Bears. Logging 87 kills a season ago, the Bears will look to Placide to help fill the void of graduated five-year outside hitter Makenzie Harris.
Preseason Favorites Weber State Seek to Repeat as Tournament Champions in 2024
Weber State, who earned its third NCAA berth in school history last season after winning the Big Sky Championship, will look to defend its title this year as the Wildcats set their sights on another tourney crown. Last season, the Wildcats were a 4-seed in Greeley and took down 5th-seeded Portland State, top-seeded Sacramento State and third-seeded Montana State en route to the tournament crown.
2024 Big Sky Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Weber State (3) – 73
2. Montana State (2) – 70
3. Sacramento State (4) – 67
4. Northern Colorado (1) – 61
5. Portland State – 50
6. Eastern Washington – 40
7. Montana – 37
8. Idaho State – 25
9. Northern Arizona – 18
10. Idaho - 9
(First-Place Votes)
Sacramento Tabbed as Host City for 2024 Season
The 2024 Big Sky Conference Soccer Championship will be held at The Nest in Sacramento, California on Nov. 27-29. The top-eight teams in the conference standings after the conclusion of the regular season will comprise the championship field.
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2024 Big Sky Volleyball Schedule (Week 6)
Thursday, Oct. 3
Montana at Weber State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana State at Idaho State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Friday, Oct. 4
Eastern Washington at Idaho // 6:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Northern Colorado at Northern Arizona // 6:30 p.m. MST (ESPN+)
Portland State at Sacramento State // 7:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Saturday, Oct. 5
Montana at Idaho State // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana State at Weber State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)