FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 1, 2025) – October volleyball is here which means teams are gearing up for a full month of conference action.
Big Sky Volleyball Weekly Notes (Week 6)
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Big Sky Volleyball Players of the Week (Sept. 29, 2025)
Offensive Player of the Week: Delaney Russell, Montana (OH, So., Denver, Colo.)
Russell averaged 4.33 kills per set on .276 hitting this weekend to help Montana open league play with back-to-back sweeps for the first time since 1990. Russell had 14 kills on .357 in a win over Sacramento State and a dozen kills in the sweep of Idaho as Montana's winning streak has reached 10. She also averaged 2.50 digs per set.
Defensive Player of the Week: Paige Stepaniuk, Portland State (L, Jr., Ridgefield, Wash.)
Paige Stepaniuk led the Viking defense to its best weekend of the season as the Vikings opened Big Sky play 2-0 with 3-0 sweeps of Idaho State, at home Thursday, and Montana State, on the road Saturday. Stepaniuk and the defense held Idaho State and Montana State to opponent season lows for hitting percentage in back-to-back matches. The Vikings held the Bengals to .145 hitting Thursday, which was the lowest mark by a Viking opponent this season until Stepaniuk and the Vikings held Montana State to .128 hitting in the Bobcats' home gym Saturday. Stepaniuk posted match highs in digs in both matches. She recorded 19 digs against the Bengals Thursday, then followed up with 12 digs Saturday against the Bobcats.
With her 31 total digs over the weekend, Stepaniuk moved into the career top 10 for digs within Portland State's Big Sky era (1996-present). From a season perspective, Stepaniuk ranks tied for fifth in the Big Sky in digs (3.75) and 10th in aces (0.31) per set after last weekend.
Others Nominated for Big Sky Volleyball Player of the Week
Offense: Kalista Lukovich (EWU), Joelie Spelts (MSU), Zoe Gibbs (UNC), Alivia Eikenberg (PSU), Victoria Marthaler (SAC), Ashley Gneiting (WSU)
Defense: Sydney Pierce (UM), Joelie Spelts (MSU), Reese Ampi (SAC)
Week 5 Highlights
The first weekend of conference action is in the books as three teams came out with a 2-0 record.
Northern Arizona continues to lead the standings with a 12-3 overall record. The Lumberjacks went 2-0 on the weekend recording a pair of sweeps over Idaho and Idaho State.
Montana is right behind the Lumberjacks, continuing their historic start to the season, extending their win streak to 10 straight. The Grizzlies took down Idaho and defending tournament champions, Sacramento State to open up conference play. Montana went through the month of September without losing a match.
Portland State also began conference play with a 2-0 record. The Vikings defeated Idaho State and Montana State in sweeping fashion.
Weber State Named Preseason Favorites
The Wildcats earned the top spot in the preseason poll after receiving five first place votes from the league's head coaches. Weber State is looking to secure their first regular season crown since the 2021 season. The Wildcats most recently won the Big Sky Volleyball tournament in 2023.
2025 Big Sky Volleyball Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Weber State (5) - 74
2. Northern Colorado (2) - 66
T3. Idaho State (2) - 65
T3. Sacramento State - 65
5. Eastern Washington - 40
6. Portland State - 39
T7. Montana State - 36
T7. Northern Arizona (1) - 36
9. Montana - 20
10. Idaho - 9
*() Indicates first place vote
Watts Headlines Inaugural Preseason All-Conference Team
Idaho State's Jaydin Watts headlines the inagural preseason All-Conference Team, earning preseason MVP honors. Watts was second in the league a season ago in blocks (161) and blocking average (1.34). Watts played a crucial role in Idaho State's record setting-defensive efforts last season. The Bengals led the nation in total blocks (364) and third in blocks per set (2.96). Fellow Bengal Meline Shulikov also earn a preseason nod.
Defending regular-season champion Northern Colorado also earned a pair of preseason honors in Isabel Bennett and Alayna Tessena. The Bears are coming off of a 28-8 record a season ago which included wins over Michigan State, Ole Miss and Colorado. The success continued into the postseason with a semifinal apperance in the NIVC.
2025 Big Sky Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team
1. Jaydin Watts, ISU (Preseason MVP)
2. Ashley Gneiting, WSU
3. Isabel Bennett, UNC
4. Hannah Stoddard, NAU
5. Kate Doorn, SAC
6. Naomi White, PSU
7. Quincy Moran, EWU
8. Lauren Lindseth, MSU
9. Meline Shulikov, ISU
10. Alayna Tessena, UNC
Sacramento State Seeks to Repeat as Tournament Champions in 2025
Sacramento State, who claimed its first tournament title since 2007 a season ago, will look to defend its title this year as the Hornets set their sights on another tourney crown. The Hornets were the first team to win the tournament on their home court since North Dakota in 2016.
Greeley Tabbed as Host City for 2025 Big Sky Tournament
The 2025 Big Sky Conference Volleyball Championship will be held at the Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley, Colorado on Nov. 24-26. The top-eight teams in the conference standings after the conclusion of the regular season will comprise the championship field.
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2025 Big Sky Volleyball Schedule (Week 6)
Thursday, Oct. 2
Northern Arizona at Montana State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Colorado at Montana // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Friday, Oct. 3
Idaho State at Weber State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho at Eastern Washington // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sacramento State at Portland State // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Saturday, Oct. 4
Northern Colorado at Montana State // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Arizona at Montana // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on X, Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky, YouTube and TikTok for all the latest news around the league and use the hashtag #ExperienceElevated to stay connected.