FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 22, 2024) – Four weeks of conference play have come and gone as teams look to make their impact in the final month of the regular season.
Big Sky Volleyball Weekly Notes (Week 9)
Week Eight Highlights
Eastern Washington extended their win streak to five matches with a pair of home victories over Idaho State and Weber State. The stretch of success has moved the Eagles into fourth place in the conference standings as they prepare to host Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona this weekend.
Northern Colorado maintains their top position in the conference standings after a pair of big home wins over Montana and Montana State. The Bears have now won five matches in a row with four of those wins being sweeps.
Northern Arizona picked up their first two conference wins of the season on their home court against Montana and Montana State. The Lumberjacks look to keep the momentum going as they kick off a three-game road trip beginning at Idaho on Thursday.
Noticed in the Nation
Sacramento State's Bridgette Smith ranks No. 10 in the country in service aces with 42 on the season. The senior outside hitter has been stellar from the serving line recording 21 aces in her previous 6 matches. Smith logged a season-high seven aces against Eastern Washington on September 28th.
Northern Colorado's Syd Cole ranks No. 7 in the nation in total assists with 800 on the season. The graduate student setter has powered the Bear's offense thus far recording at least 25 assists in every match this season. Cole tallied a season-high 64 assists to lead Northern Colorado to a big in-state rival win over Colorado on September 11th.
Northern Arizona's Millie O'Ketter has been a staple in the Lumberjack's defense this season averaging 4.94 digs per set, ranking No. 20 in the nation. The graduate student defensive specialist leads the conference with this mark and also holds seven of the top 10 spots in the league in digs per three set matches.
Idaho State maintains the top spot in the nation in total blocks with 234 on the season. The Bengals have been led by big individual efforts by Jaydin Watts and Marci Bell who also rank in the top 25 respectfully.
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Offensive Player of the Week: Syd Cole, Northern Colorado (S, Gr., Parker, Colo.)
Syd Cole helped the Bears to a 2-0 record, with a .392 hitting percentage over the two matches, including a program DI record .484 against Montana State. Cole had 38 assists against Montana and 33 against Montana State, with the 38 being the most in a three-set match this season by any Big Sky player. She also added seven kills on 10 swings with no errors and two aces.
Defensive Player of the Week: Makenna Collins, Eastern Washington (L, Sr., Irrigon, Ore.)
Makenna Collins helped the Eagles to a 2-0 weekend collecting 29 digs, 4.14 digs per set, and 12 assists. In the win over Idaho State, Collins recorded 11 digs and five assists, while against Weber State she earned 18 digs and seven assists.
Others Nominated for Big Sky Volleyball Player of the Week
Offense: Bri Gunderson (EWU), Sadie Bluth (ISU), Maddie Kremer (UM), Gigi Greenlee (NAU), Makayla Lewis (PSU), Ellie Tisko (SAC)
Defense: Asiah Sopo’aga (ISU), Alexis Batezel (UM), Lauren Lindseth (MSU), Gabi Placide (UNC), Naomi White (PSU), Karlie Spohn (SAC)
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 9)
Thursday, Oct. 24
Sacramento State at Weber State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Arizona at Idaho // 6:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Idaho State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Friday, Oct. 25
Northern Colorado at Eastern Washington // 11:00 a.m. PT (ESPN+)
Montana State at Montana // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Saturday, Oct. 26
Sacramento State at Idaho State // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Arizona at Eastern Washington // 12:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Northern Colorado at Idaho // 1:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Weber State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)