FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 29, 2025) – Only one day of play remains in the month of October before the calendar turns to November and the push for the postseason begins.
Big Sky Volleyball Weekly Notes (Week 10)
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Offensive Player of the Week: Alivia Eikenberg, Portland State (OH, Fr., Lone Tree, Colo.)
Alivia Eikenberg posted the most kills by a Viking since 2010 with a career-high 28 on a career-best .380 hitting Thursday in the Vikings’ 3-1 win over Eastern Washington. She then like the Vikings to a reverse sweep of Idaho Saturday, the Vikings’ first comeback from 0-2 down since 2013. She mirrored the Vikings’ comeback in the match. Eikenberg recorded 14 of her match-high 17 kills over the final three sets while hitting .242 over that stretch.
Eikenberg added 13 digs to her 17 kills against the Vandals, giving the freshman her ninth straight double-double and 13th of the season. Eikenberg is also on pace for freshman records for kills (3.70) and points (4.12) per set this season, averages that rank her third in the conference in both categories. Eikenberg’s strong showings against the Eagles and Vandals mean she averaged 5.00 kills per set on .243 hitting last week while adding 3.22 digs per set.
Defensive Player of the Week: Lauren Lindseth, Montana State (L, Sr., Great Falls, Wash.)
Lauren Lindseth had another strong defensive weekend for the Bobcats totaling 39 digs, and averaging 5.57 per set. In MSU's win over Weber State, the product of Great Falls, Mont., posted a match-high 22 digs. She followed that performance with a team-best 17 digs against Idaho State. She was targeted 23 times- 3.29 per set- in serve-receive over the weekend, committing just one reception error.
Others Nominated for Big Sky Volleyball Player of the Week
Offense: Gracie Cagle (UM), Joelie Spelts (MSU), Kylie Moran (NAU), Victoria Marthaler (SAC)
Defense: Alexis Batezel (UM), Avery Gottschalk (NAU), Paige Stepaniuk (PSU), Ashyln Archer (SAC)
Week 9 Highlights
More movement in the standings as the month of October comes to a close.
Northern Arizona maintains the top position in the standings after defeating Northern Colorado in the Battle of the Blue and Gold for the first time since 2022. The win extended their streak to five staight games. The Lumberjacks look to continue their winning ways against Montana and Montana State this weekend.
Montana, Sacramento State, Montana State and Northern Colorado are all right behind the Lumberjacks in the standings with 6-3 records, a four-way tie for second place. Portland State is also in the mix, finiding themselves a game behind the quad.
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 10)
Thursday, Oct. 230
Montana State at Northern Colorado // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Weber State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana at Northern Arizona // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sacramento State at Idaho State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Saturday, Nov. 1
Montana State at Northern Arizona // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Idaho State // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana at Northern Colorado // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sacramento State at Weber State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Eastern Washington at Idaho // 7:00 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.