FARMINGTON, Utah (Dec. 3, 2025) – All eyes are on tournament champions Northern Colorado this week as they make their way to Omaha for the opening round of the NCAA tournament.
Big Sky Volleyball Weekly Notes (NCAA Tournament)
Bears Draw #3 Creighton in Opening Round of the NCAA Tournament
Big Sky volleyball tournament champion Northern Colorado will head to Omaha, as the Bears face third-seeded Creighton in the opening round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament.
The Bears officially earned their bid on Sunday, as part of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament selection show on ESPN. The game is slated for Thursday, Dec. 4. Fans can watch the game on ESPN+. First serve will be 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one at D.J. Sokol Arena between Utah and sixth-seeded Northern Iowa.
The Bears are seeking to become the first Big Sky team since 2020 to win a game in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. That victory came for Weber State against Bowling Green in four sets.
The Blue Jays enter the NCAA Volleyball Tournament with a 25-5 record overall, while going a perfect 16-0 in the Big East this season, dropping just four sets in conference play. Creighton swept Big East volleyball titles this season, most recently securing their sixth consecutive Big East Tournament crown in sweeping fashion over Xavier. Creighton advanced to the elite eight of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament last year, before falling to eventual National Champion No. 2 Penn State in five sets.
Northern Colorado Wins First Tournament Title Since 2022
Northern Colorado claimed its first Big Sky volleyball tournament title since 2022, as the Bears captured the title in sweeping fashion over eighth-seeded Idaho State.
The Bears won Wednesday's championship match over Idaho State, 25-20, 25-21, 25-19 making them the second host team to win the Big Sky tournament title in as many years and just the second since 2016.
Brynn Reines led Northern Colorado totaling nearly 40 kills and four service aces, as the senior was named the tournament's MVP for her efforts. The honor was the first of her career.
The Bears knocked off Montana State, Sacramento State and Idaho State on their way to the program's eighth tournament title overall.
2025 Big Sky Volleyball All-Tournament Team
Brynn Reines, Northern Colorado (MVP)
Bella LePore, Northern Colorado
Isabel Bennett, Northern Colorado
Marci Bell, Idaho State
Nora Waddoups, Idaho State
Victoria Marthaler, Sac State
Rose Moore, Weber State
Northern Arizona Clinches Regular Season Title
Northern Arizona 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
NCAA Tournament Opening Round - Thursday, Dec 14
Northern Colorado at #3 Creighton // 6:00 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.