FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 8, 2025) – Conference action is heating up as teams look to find their stride in the heart of Big Sky play.
Big Sky Volleyball Weekly Notes (Week 7)
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Offensive Player of the Week: Victoria Marthaler, Sacramento State (OH, So., Albuquerque, NM.)
Sophomore Victoria Marthaler was incredible in leading Sacramento State to a four-set road win (25-18, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22) at Portland State in the Hornets’ lone match of the week. The outside hitter accounted for nearly half of Sacramento State’s kills, finishing with a career-best 28 kills (7.00 kps) to go with a .397 hitting percentage. The Albuquerque, N.M., native had just five errors in 58 swings, and her 28 kills were 10 more than any player from either team.
The 28 kills surpassed her previous career best of 26, set two weeks ago against Fresno State. Marthaler also came through in the clutch - connecting on a kill at set point to close a 25-23 second set, and later getting a kill on match point to finish off a 25-22 fourth set win.
Her 28 kills were just shy of half of Sacramento State’s 60 kills in the match. If that wasn’t enough, she also added a career-best 14 digs. Marthaler is now averaging a whopping 6.30 kills per set in Big Sky play, easily the top mark in the conference.
Co-Defensive Player of the Week: Alexis Batezel, Montana (L, Sr., Las Vegas, Nev.)
Alexis Batezel averaged an absurd 7.63 digs per set in Montana's two matches this week, including a career high 40 digs against Northern Colorado. She followed that up with 21 digs in a win over NAU and was a perfect 22/22 in serve receptions on the weekend.
Batezel has been the backbone of the team's success so far this season, winning 11 of their last 12 matches. The Grizzlies are tied for the top spot in the standings after two weeks of conference action.
Co-Defensive Player of the Week: Lauren Lindseth, Montana State (L, Sr., Great Falls, Mont.)
Lindseth played a pivotal role in Montana State's victories over Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado last weekend. The senior from Great Falls, Mont., registered a career-high 35 digs against Northern Arizona on Thursday night, averaging 7.00 digs per set. She set the tone in the opening frame with 12 saves. Lindseth also recorded four assists and an ace against the Lumberjacks. In MSU's 3-1 win over Northern Colorado, she moved into second on the Bobcats All-Time Digs Chart with 1,747 career digs. Her 19 digs against the Bears helped the Bobcats snap a 17-match home court losing streak to Northern Colorado dating back to the 2005 season, when UNC was not a member of the Big Sky Conference. In all, Lindseth averaged 6.00 digs over nine sets to put MSU atop the Big Sky standings. She also dished out nine assists. Her defensive efforts helped the Bobcats outhit its two opponents .233 to .188 on the weekend.
Others Nominated for Big Sky Volleyball Player of the Week
Offense: Delaney Russell (UM), Brynn Reines (UNC), Alivia Eikenberg (PSU), Kaylie Ray (WSU), Teagan Jaynes (MSU)
Defense: Bella LePore (UNC), Paige Stepaniuk (PSU), Reese Ampi (SAC)
Week 6 Highlights
The second weekend of conference action is in the books as the standings start to shape up.
Montana continues their strong success to the season winning 11 of their past 12 matches. The Grizzlies defeated Northern Arizona this weekend to help secure the top spot.
Montana State matches Montana's 3-1 record. The Bobcats are coming off a 2-0 weekend against Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona. Montana and Montana State will face off for the first time this season on Saturday night in Missoula.
Idaho recorded their first conference win since 2022 with a straight set victory over Eastern Washington.
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 7)
Thursday, Oct. 9
Sacramento State at Northern Colorado // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Eastern Washington at Weber State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Northern Arizona // 7:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho at Idaho State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Saturday, Oct. 11
Sacramento State at Northern Arizona // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho at Weber State // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Eastern Washington at Idaho State // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Northern Colorado // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana State at Montana // 8:00 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.