FARMINGTON, Utah (Aug. 22, 2025) – As the 2025 volleyball season nears, the Big Sky Conference office announced the results of its Preseason Coaches' Poll with Weber State tabbed as the favorites. The Preseason All-Conference Team has also been released, as Idaho State's Jaydin Watts headlines the team with Preseason MVP honors.
The preseason poll and preseason All-Conference Team was voted on by the league's 10 head coaches, who could not vote for their own team.
In just a nine-point difference between the top-four teams, it was the league-leading five first-place votes that boosted the Wildcats to the top spot of the preseason poll. Northern Colorado and Idaho State round out the top three teams, each securing a pair of first-place votes, with just a point seperating the two. Defending tournament champion Sacramento State is also right in the mix, finding themselves tied for third with the Bengals.
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.
The 2025 Big Sky Volleyball Championship will be held Nov. 24-26 at Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley, Colorado, with the top-eight teams qualifying for the tournament.
The 2025 season officially gets underway on Friday, Aug. 29, with all 10 teams in action.
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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
2025 Big Sky Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team
1. Jaydin Watts, ISU
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