FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 6, 2026) – The first two weeks of Big Sky action are complete as two teams remain unbeaten. Idaho State and Utah Tech square off on Saturday for the top spot in the standings.
Below are news & notes from around the league for Big Sky volleyball.
Eastern Washington's Kalista Lukovich Named Offensive Player of the Week
Eastern Washington's Kalista Lukovich was named Offensive Player of the Week after registering 40 kills through two matches this weekend. Lukovich played a key role in the Eagle's offensive production as she averaged five kills per set. Along with hitting .230 over the weekend, she also contributed 31 digs and four blocks. The honor is Lukovich's fourth of the season.
Eastern Washington will square off against Idaho and Northern Colorado this weekend.
Others Nominated: Jaydin Watts (ISU), Gracie Cagle (UM), Joelie Spelts (MSU), Hanah Stoddard (NAU), Alayna Tessena (UNC), Maryn Hall (PSU), Ryen Smith (SUU), Tessa Treanor (UTU), Lexie Carlson (WSU)
Idaho State's Aspen Boice Named Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Idaho State's Aspen Boice was named Co-Defensive Player of the Week after powering the Bengals to a successful 2-0 weekend. Boice's defensive efforts were felt through both matches as she averaged nearly six digs per set. She totaled 47 digs on the weekend and also contributed 14 assists and a service ace. The honor is Boice's third of the season and second in as many weeks.
Idaho State will go on the road this week to take on Southern Utah and Utah Tech.
Utah Tech's Annalyse Shimada Named Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Utah Tech's Annalyse Shimada was named Co-Defensive Player of the Week after leading the Trailblazers to a perfect 2-0 weekend. Shimada's defensive presence was felt through both matches as she averaged 2.13 blocks per set. She totaled 17 blocks on the weekend, including five solo blocks. Shimada's season-high 11 blocks came against reigning Big Sky tournament champions Northern Colorado on Thursday.
Utah Tech will look to stay unbeaten in conference play this weekend against Idaho State and Weber State.
Others Nominated: Sidney Gray (EWU), Madeline Sanderson (UM), Nicolette Noble (MSU), Kate Federico (NAU), Jessica Truong (PSU), Amanda Mendoza (SUU), Ziya Munyer (WSU)
Battle of the Unbeatens
Two weeks into conference play and Idaho State and Utah Tech are the lone Big Sky teams yet to drop a conference match. The two teams square off on Saturday in a battle to maintain the top position in the standings.
Idaho State takes a four-match win streak into the weekend, most recently defeating Northern Arizona and Portland State. The Bengals will take on Southern Utah on Thursday before facing Utah Tech on Saturday. The Bengals have won nine of their last 11 matches.
Utah Tech looks to extend their eight-match win streak this weekend as they compete against Weber State and Idaho State. The Trailblazers have taken down both the 2025 Big Sky regular season champions, Northern Arizona and reigning Big Sky tournament champions, Northern Colorado en route to their current 4-0 conference mark.
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 7)
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Idaho at Eastern Washington // 7:00 p.m. MT (SWX / ESPN+)
Thursday, October. 8
Eastern Washington at Northern Colorado // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Weber State at Utah Tech // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at Southern Utah // 6:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana State at Northern Arizona // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana at Portland State // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Saturday, Oct. 10
Montana at Northern Arizona // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at Utah Tech // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Weber State at Southern Utah // 1:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Idaho at Northern Colorado // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana State at Portland State // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)