FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 24, 2025) – The non-conference slate is complete as teams around the league prep for their first week of league action, beginning on Wednesday night.
Big Sky Volleyball Weekly Notes (Week 5)
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Offensive Player of the Week: Ashlynn Archer, Sacramento State (OH, R-Jr., Coeur d'Alene, ID.)
Senior Ashlynn Archer led Sacramento State to a perfect 3-0 record and a tournament championship at the Central Cal Challenge. The Hornets dropped just one set while handily defeating CSU Bakersfield (3-0), Pacific (3-0) and Fresno State (3-1).
The middle blocker, who was named the tournament MVP, had an incredible week, hitting .543 with averages of 4.30 kills and 0.40 aces per set. She had at least 13 kills in every match, and hit better than .475 in all three contests. She combined for 43 kills and just five errors in 70 swings, and spearheaded a Hornet offense that finished the week with a .362 hitting percentage.
She had a career-high tying 16 kills and a .500 hitting percentage against Fresno State, 14 kills and .667 hitting percentage vs. CSU Bakersfield, and 13 kills and .476 vs. Pacific. If that wasn’t enough, she added a career-best four aces in the win over Fresno State.
The St. John, Wash., native has hit better than .475 in seven straight matches, and easily leads the Big Sky with a .473 hitting percentage.
Defensive Player of the Week: Alexis Batezel, Montana (L, Sr., Las Vegas, Nev.)
Batezel averaged 4.75 digs/set and led Montana to another undefeated weekend at the Eastern Washington Tournament. Montana held its two opponents to .158 hitting on the weekend and Batezel continued to rise up the program's all-time record book, cracking the top 10 with the win over Gonzaga.
Others Nominated for Big Sky Volleyball Player of the Week
Offense: Kalista Lukovich (EWU), Kiana Greer (UI), Jaydin Watts (ISU), Delaney Russell (UM), Jaynes Teagan (MSU), Hannah Stoddard (NAU), Zoe Gibbs (UNC), Tyra Schaub (PSU)
Defense: Alyssa Radke (EWU), Kyriah Trefren, (UI), Jenna Werbelow (ISU), Joelie Spelts (MSU), Sophia Wadsworth (NAU), Zoe Gibbs (UNC), Naomi White (PSU), Reese Ampi (SAC)
Week 4 Highlights
Weekend four capped off the non-conference slate with Northern Arizona at the top of the standings with a 10-3 record heading into Big Sky play.
The Lumberjacks strung together eight conseuctive wins before falling to Wofford in the non-conference finale on Saturday. NAU's only other losses came to New Mexico and Washington State.
Montana is right behind the Lumberjacks with an 8-3 record. The Grizzlies look to extend their eight-match win streak through the opening weekend of Big Sky play against Sacramento State and Idaho. The eight-match win streak is the longest of the century for the Grizzlies.
Defending tournament champions Sacramento State also begin league action on a hot streak; the Hornets have won 4 straight, three over in-state opponents.
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.
Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Blue Sky and TikTok for all the latest news around the league and use the hashtag #ExperienceElevated.
2025 Big Sky Volleyball Schedule (Week 5)
Wednesday, Sept. 24
Montana State at Eastern Washington // 7:00 a.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Colorado at Weber State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Thursday, Sept. 25
Idaho at Northern Arizona // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sacramento State at Montana // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at Portland State // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Saturday, Sept. 27
Weber State at Sacramento State // 3:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Eastern Washington at Northern Colorado // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Arizona at Idaho State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana at Idaho // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Montana State // 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.