FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 3, 2024) – Week two of the 2024 volleyball season gets underway on Tuesday night with an in-state showdown between Northern Colorado and Colorado State. The weekend slate kicks off on Thursday with eight teams in action.
Big Sky Volleyball Weekly Notes (Week 2)
Opening Weekend Highlights
Idaho State and Northern Arizona led the conference with two win-weekends to begin the season. Idaho State hosted a trio of west coast schools in Pocatello; the Bengals closed out the weekend with back to back wins against Seattle and CSUN.
The Lumberjacks went to UC San Diego for a three-match weekend and came out with a pair of big wins against Southern Utah and Gonzaga.
Northern Colorado welcomed Michigan State and No. 11 Florida to Greeley for a pair of matches. The Bears took down the Spartans in four sets in the season opener on Friday night. The momentum carried into Saturday's match against Florida as they took the opening set from the Gators.
Montana and Montana State both closed out the weekend on a high note with wins against Oregon State and Middle Tennessee State.
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Offensive Player of the Week: Taylor Jacobsen, Northern Arizona (OH, Gr., Chandler, Ariz.)
Taylor Jacobsen led Northern Arizona to a 2-1 weekend to open the season, with wins over Southern Utah and Gonzaga. The outside hitter had a pair of double-doubles, with 17 kills and 11 digs against the Thunderbirds and 13 kills and 14 digs versus the Zags. Over the three matches for the weekend, Jacobsen hit at a .330 clip with 43 kills on 106 attempts and just eight errors. She also had three service aces, six blocks, and 29 digs to add to the stat sheet. The weekly honor was the first of the season and third of Jacobsen's career.
Defensive Player of the Week: Marci Bell, Idaho State (MB, R-So., Henefer, Utah)
Idaho State's
Marci Bell helped guide the Bengals to a 2-1 record in their home tournament over the weekend, defeating both Seattle U and Cal State Northridge in four sets. In three matches, Bell led the Bengals with 23 total blocks, 20 assisted and three solo, while earning 30 points and four digs. The weekly honor was the first of the season and second of Bell's career.
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.
Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Blue Sky and TikTok for all the latest news around the league and use the hashtag #ExperienceElevated.
2024 Big Sky Volleyball Schedule (Week 2)
Tuesday, Sept. 3
Northern Colorado at Colorado state // 6:00 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Thursday, Sept. 5
Ole Miss at Northern Colorado // 11:00 a.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana State vs Denver // 2:30 p.m. MT
Portland State vs Tulane // 3:00 p.m. PT
Northern Arizona at Texas Tech // 4:00 p.m. MST (ESPN+)
Weber State at LMU // 6:00 p.m. MT (ACCNX)
Utah Valley at Montana // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland vs Idaho State // 7:00 p.m. MT
CSUN at Sacramento State // 7:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Friday, Sept. 6
Montana State vs The Citadel // 9:00 a.m. MT
Idaho at UC Riverside // 9:00 a.m. PT
Weber State at SMU // 12:00 p.m. MT (ACCNX)
Idaho vs Southern Utah // 12:00 p.m PT
Northern Arizona vs Green Bay // 1:30 p.m. MST (ESPN+)
Rider at Northern Colorado // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State at San Diego State // 6:00 p.m. PT
New Mexico at Sacramento State // 7:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Eastern Washington at Washington State // 7:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at UC Irvine // 8:00 p.m. MT
Saturday, Sept. 7
Northern Arizona vs Florida Atlantic // 8:00 a.m. MST (ESPN+)
Weber State vs Milwaukee // 10:00 a.m. MT (ACCNX)
Idaho at Southern Utah // 10:00 a.m. PT
Rider at Northern Colorado // 11:00 a.m. MT (ESPN+)
Southern Miss at Montana // 11:00 a.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at Bradley // 11:00 a.m. MT
Portland State at DePaul // 12:00 p.m. PT
Montana State at Nebraska // 1:00 p.m. MT (B1G+)
San Francisco at Sacramento State // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Ole Miss at Northern Colorado // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sunday, Sept. 8
Boise State at Montana // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Monday, Sept. 9
Washington State at Eastern Washington // 6:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)