FARMINGTON, Utah (Nov. 23, 2025) – After three months of regular season competition, a new season kicks off in Greeley this week. The top-eight teams in the conference standings have made their way to Colorado to compete for the conference tournament crown.
Big Sky Volleyball Weekly Notes (Big Sky Tournament)
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Offensive Player of the Week: Hanah Stoaddard, Northern Arizona (OH, Jr., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho)
Hanah Stoddard led the Lumberjacks to win the Big Sky Regular season outright after a 3-1 win over the UNC Bears on their own court. She had 18 kills and hit to a .340 clip and also recorded two service aces.
The Lumberjacks head into the conference tournament winning 11 of their last 12 matches and are seeking their first tournament crown since 2018.
Defensive Player of the Week: Melia Barlow, Northern Arizona (L, R-So., Tuba City, Ariz.)
Melia Barlow was key in helping the Lumberjacks to an outright regular season title after a 3-1 defeat over Northern Colorado in the regular season finale. She had 21 digs in total, and played a vital part in keeping the Bears at bay.
With the win, Northern Arizona swept the Battle of the Blue and Gold this season and also secured the No. 1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament.
Others Nominated for Big Sky Volleyball Player of the Week
Offense: Jaydin Watts (ISU), Delaney Russell (UM), Camryn Greenwald (MSU), Bella Van Lannen (UNC), Ashlynn Archer (SAC), Rose Moore (WSU)
Defense: Meline Shulikov (ISU), Alexis Batezel (UM), Lauren Lindseth (MSU), Reese Ampi (SAC), Saane Munyer (WSU)
Northern Arizona Clinches Regular Season Title
Northern Arzona clinched the regular season title outright on Friday night after a thrilling 3-1 victory over Northern Colorado in Greeley.
Heading into the match on Friday, both teams had a shot at the regular season crown, but it was the Lumberjacks who secured their first outright regular season title in program history.
With the win, Northern Arizona has secured the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Big Sky tournament along with hosting rights for the 2026 tournament. It will be the Lumberjack's first time hosting the tournament since 2015.
All-Conference Awards Announced
The 2025 Big Sky Conference Volleyball Individual Awards and All-Conference Teams have been announced, highlighting the best and brightest stars across the league.
These awards are voted on by the league’s head coaches. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players in the process.
Sacramento State led the way with a quad of Hornets earning individual awards and three members on First Team All-Conference. Regular season champions Northern Arizona collected a pair of individual awards along with three First Team All-Conference reps. Montana rounds out individual awards in Alexis Batezel who earned Co-Libero of the Years honors and Olivia LaBeau who was named Top Newcomer.
2025 Big Sky Individual Award Winners
Co-Most Valuable Player: Hanah Stoddard, Northern Arizona & Victoria Marthaler, Sacramento State
Co-Libero of the Year: Alexis Batezel, Montana & Reese Ampi, Sacramento State
Setter of the Year: Kate Doorn, Sacramento State
Top Newcomer: Olivia LaBeau, Montana
Outstanding Freshman of the Year: Keonahi’ilani Solaita, Sacramento State
Coach of the Year: Ken Murphy, Northern Arizona
Big Sky Volleyball All-Conference First Team
Delaney Russell, Montana
Hanah Stoddard, Northern Arizona
Gigi Greenlee, Northern Arizona
Sophia Wadsworth, Northern Arizona
Isabel Bennett, Northern Colorado
Alivia Eikenberg, Portland State
Kate Doorn, Sacramento State
Victoria Marthaler, Sacramento State
Ashlynn Archer, Sacramento State
Rose Moore, Weber State
Big Sky Volleyball All-Conference Second Team
Marci Bell, Idaho State
Jaydin Watts, Idaho State
Alexis Batezel, Montana
Gracie Cagle, Montana
Lauren Lindseth, Montana State
Brynn Reines, Northern Colorado
Zoe Gibbs, Northern Colorado
Alayna Tessena, Northern Colorado
Ashley Gneiting, Weber State
Kaylie Ray, Weber State
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.
2025 Big Sky Volleyball Schedule (Big Sky Tournament)
Nov. 24-26 | Greeley, Colorado
Monday, Nov. 24 – Quarterfinals
Match 1: #4 Weber State vs. #5 Montana vs. // 10:00 a.m. MT //
Live Stats
Match 2: #1 Northern Arizona vs. #8 Idaho State // 1:00 p.m. MT //
Live Stats
Match 3: #2 Sacramento State vs. #7 Portland State // 4:00 p.m. MT //
Live Stats
Match 4: #3 Northern Colorado vs. #6 Montana State // 7:00 p.m. MT //
Live Stats
Tuesday, Nov. 25 – Semifinals
Match 5: Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2 // 4:00 p.m. MT // Live Stats
Match 6: Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Mach 4 // 7:00 p.m. MT // Live Stats
Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Championship
Match 7: Winner of Match 6 vs. Winner of Match 7 // 7:00 p.m. MT // Live Stats
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