FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 20, 2026) – Only one unbeaten team remains after the first half of conference action as teams around the league turn their attention towards the final few weeks of the regular season.
Below are news & notes from around the league for Big Sky volleyball.
Northern Arizona's Quincey Coyle Named Offensive Player of the Week
Northern Arizona's Quincey Coyle was named Offensive Player of the Week after registering 31 kills in a pair of road matches this weekend. Coyle powered the Lumberjack's success offensively as she averaged 3.5 kills per set while hitting .329%. She also tallied 30 digs, a pair of blocks and a pair of service aces in route to a 2-0 week.
Northern Arizona will take a 5-match win streak into this weekend against Portland State and Northern Colorado.
Others Nominated: Annelie Wilson (ISU), Gracie Cagle (UM), Joelie Spelts (MSU), Maryn Hall (PSU), Audrey Atwood (SUU), Kennedi Knudsen (UTU), Lexie Carlson (WSU)
Utah Tech's Casidy Fried Named Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Utah Tech's Casidy Fried was named Co-Defensive Player of the Week after powering the Trailblazers to a successful 2-0 weekend. Fried's defensive efforts were felt through both matches as she averaged 1.88 blocks per set. She totaled 15 blocks on the weekend and also contributed 12 kills and three digs. The honor is Fried's first of the season.
Utah Tech takes on Eastern Washington and Idaho this week.
Weber State's Sophia Sparrow Named Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Weber State's Sophia Sparrow was named Co-Defensive Player of the Week after leading the Wildcats to a perfect 2-0 weekend. Sparrow's powered the Wildcat defense through both matches as she averaged 1.88 blocks per set. She totaled 15 blocks on the weekend and also contributed 15 kills and five digs.
Weber State has a pair of matches against Montana and Montana State this week.
Others Nominated: Aspen Boice (ISU), Madeline Sanderson (UM), Alice Steman (MSU), Paige Stepaniuk (PSU), Zorana Stankovska (SUU)
Trailblazers Remain Unbeaten in Big Sky Play
After four weeks of conference play, Utah Tech heads into week five as the only team yet to drop a conference match.
The Trailblazers have now won 12-straight matches, including an 8-0 start to Big Sky play. Utah Tech most recently took down Montana and Montana State to extend their win streak. The win streak has given the Trailblazers a two-game at the helm of the standings. Utah Tech looks to keep their momentum going against Eastern Washington and Idaho this weekend.
Idaho State and Northern Arizona are right behind the Trailblazers in the standings, tied for second with 6-2 records. Idaho State swept the Lumberjacks earlier in the season, but the two squads will meet again on Nov. 14.
The top-eight teams in the standings at the end of conference play with qualify for the Big Sky championship in Flagstaff in November.
Northern Colorado Picked as Preseason Favorites by League Coaches
Northern Colorado was named preseason favorites by the league's head coaches after winning the Big Sky tournament a season ago. The Bears look to make a run behind their two preseason All-Conference team selections Alayna Tessena and Nerea Alvarez Jorge.
Northern Colorado earned the top spot in the poll after collecting four first-place votes and a league-leading 83 points, edging out Northern Arizona by just three points, who also compiled four first-place votes. Montana collected a pair of first-place votes and found themselves deadlocked with Idaho State at third. In their first season in the league, Utah Tech got the final first-place vote.
NAU's Hanah Stoddard Tabbed as Preseason MVP by League Coaches
Northern Arizona's Hanah Stoddard headlines the preseason All-Conference Team, earning preseason MVP honors. Stoddard played a crucial role in securing the Lumberjacks' regular-season title last year after recording a career-best 461 kills over 30 matches, which ranked second in the league. Defensively, she also tabbed 376 digs and 24 total blocks. The Co-MVP from a season ago also earned AVCA All-American honorable mention honors.
Southern Utah and Utah Tech Join the Big Sky in 2026
Southern Utah and Utah Tech were officially welcomed as members of the Big Sky Conference this past summer, as the addition of the Thunderbirds and Trailblazers give the Big Sky 11 volleyball squads for the 2026 season. The 2026 season will mark SUU’s return to the Big Sky after being a volleyball member from 2012-21, while the year will be UTU’s inaugural season in the league.
2026 Big Sky Volleyball Tournament Hosted in Flagstaff
The 2026 Big Sky Volleyball Championship, hosted by Northern Arizona, will be held in Flagstaff, Arizona on Nov. 23-25. The Lumberjacks earned the right to host the 2026 championship tournament by winning last fall's regular-season title. The 2026 tournament will be the first in Flagstaff since 2015.
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2026 Big Sky Volleyball Schedule (Week 9)
Tuesday, Oct. 20
Portland State at Northern Arizona // 7:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Thursday, Oct. 22
Northern Arizona at Northern Colorado // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana State at Weber State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho at Utah Tech // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Eastern Washington at Southern Utah // 6:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana at Idaho State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Saturday, Oct. 24
Weber State at Montana // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Utah Tech at Eastern Washington // 3:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Colorado at Portland State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at Montana State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Southern Utah at Idaho // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)