FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 27, 2026) – The race to Flagstaff heats up as teams around the league look to secure their spot in the postseason entering the final month of regular season matches.
Below are news & notes from around the league for Big Sky volleyball.
Montana State's Joelie Spelts Named Offensive Player of the Week
Montana State's Joelie Spelts was named Offensive Player of the Week after registering 31 kills in a pair of wins this weekend. Spelts powered the Bobcat's success offensively as she averaged 3.44 kills per set while hitting .426%. She also tallied eight blocks, a pair of digs and an assist in route to a 2-0 week.
Montana State will take a three-match win streak into this weekend against Southern Utah and Utah Tech.
Others Nominated: Alayna Tessena (UNC), Maryn Hall (PSU), Audrey Atwood (PSU), Tessa Treanor (UTU), Rose Moore (WSU)
Montana State's Nicolette Noble Named Defensive Player of the Week
Montana State's Nicolette Noble was named Defensive Player of the Week after leading the Bobcats to a successful 2-0 weekend. Noble's defensive efforts were felt through both matches as she averaged 4.67 digs per set. She totaled 42 digs on the weekend and also contributed five assists and five service aces. The honor is Noble's third of the season.
Others Nominated: Bella LePore (UNC), Paige Stepaniuk (PSU), Audrey Atwood (SUU), Casidy Fried (UTU), Marly Pratt (WSU)
Trailblazers Remain Unbeaten in Big Sky Play
After the first half of conference action, Utah Tech heads into the final month of the regular season as the only team yet to drop a conference match.
The Trailblazers have now won 14-straight matches, including an 10-0 start to Big Sky play. Utah Tech most recently took down Eastern Washington and Idaho to extend their win streak. The recent success has given the Trailblazers a three-game lead at the helm of the standings. Utah Tech looks to keep their momentum going against Montana and Montana State this weekend. Two of the next three matches for the Trailblazers will be against the league's top-three teams.
Idaho State and Montana State are right behind the Trailblazers in the standings, tied for second with 7-3 records. Montana State defeated the Bengals 3-1 in their lone meeting of the regular season.
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.
Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on X, Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky, YouTube and TikTok for all the latest news around the league.
2026 Big Sky Volleyball Schedule (Week 10)
Tuesday, Oct. 27
Idaho State at Weber State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Thursday, Oct. 29
Weber State at Northern Colorado // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana at Utah Tech // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho at Northern Arizona // 7:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana State at Southern Utah // 6:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Eastern Washington at Portland State // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Friday, Oct. 30
Montana State at Utah Tech // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Saturday, Oct. 31
Idaho State at Northern Colorado // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Eastern Washington at Northern Arizona // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana at Southern Utah // 6:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho at Portland State // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)