The Northern Arizona women’s volleyball team steps back onto the court in Flagstaff on October 29, 2026, seeking to halt a two-match skid that tested their resilience on the road and at home. After dropping a tight five-set battle to Portland State and a four-set decision at Northern Colorado, the Lumberjacks hold a 13-9 overall record and a 6-4 mark in Big Sky Conference play.
Defensive Anchors and Offensive Firepower in Flagstaff
As NAU prepares to host Idaho on October 29 at 6:30 p.m. MST, the squad relies heavily on a statistical foundation built on volume and net defense. Outside hitter Hanah Stoddard leads the team with 320 kills, averaging 3.76 per set to claim the second-highest total in the Big Sky Conference, alongside 222 digs. Middle blocker Gigi Greenlee anchors the front line, averaging 1.24 blocks per set—ranking third in the conference—while maintaining a .346 hitting percentage that sits sixth overall. As a unit, the Lumberjacks average 12.1 kills per set with a .207 hitting percentage and rank second in the conference in digs at 16.29 per set.
Previous Meeting Sets Benchmark Against the Vandals
The Lumberjacks enter the midweek fixture carrying an eight-match winning streak against Idaho, including a four-set victory on October 17, 2026, during a five-match winning streak that featured sweeps of Weber State and Montana. In that earlier encounter, NAU dropped the opening set before rallying to finish with a .246 hitting percentage and eight total team blocks. Idaho arrives in Flagstaff with a 12-10 overall record and a 3-7 conference mark, coming off a four-set homecoming win over Southern Utah led by Kiana Greer’s 18 kills.
The contest against Idaho also serves as a “Dig Pink” game dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with fans encouraged to wear pink and participate in the SAAC teddy bear toss.
Eastern Washington Visit Completes the October Schedule
Following the clash with Idaho, Northern Arizona remains at home to face Eastern Washington on October 31, 2026, at 1 p.m. MST. The Eagles enter the matchup with a 9-13 overall record and a 3-7 Big Sky record, having split two matches last week with a four-set win over Southern Utah followed by a straight-sets loss to Utah Tech. In the all-time series dating back to 1986, Eastern Washington holds a 41-38 edge, though NAU has claimed three of the last five meetings.
Opening November on the Road in Montana
The Lumberjacks will travel to Montana to begin November. NAU is scheduled to face the Montana Grizzlies on November 5, 2026, before traveling to take on Montana State on November 7, 2026.
Worth a look
