NAU Volleyball Dominates Idaho State with an Impressive Sweep: Highlights and Insights

Northern Arizona Women’s Volleyball Dominates Idaho State

On September 27, 2025, the Northern Arizona women’s volleyball team celebrated a strong 3-0 victory over Idaho State at the ICCU Dome. This is their tenth sweep this season, with scores of 25-20, 25-17, and 26-24.

The Lumberjacks showed their strength with a hitting percentage of .210, achieving 49 kills while limiting Idaho State to just 37 kills and a .148 hitting percentage. With this win, Northern Arizona improves to 12-3 overall and holds a 2-0 record in Big Sky competition. Meanwhile, Idaho State falls to 4-10 and 0-2 in conference play.

Head coach Ken Murphy praised his team’s effort, saying, “I’m really impressed with this group. They played a strong match after a tough travel day.”

In the first set, Idaho State initially led 14-12. However, Northern Arizona rallied back with a 10-2 run, driven by significant contributions from players like Gigi Greenlee and Hanah Stoddard. By the end of the set, the Lumberjacks were firmly in control, closing it at 25-20.

The second set saw Northern Arizona take an early lead, with strong serving and remarkable teamwork. Setter Ella Hosfeld was crucial in distributing the ball effectively, allowing Greenlee and others to shine. The Lumberjacks maintained dominance, finishing the set 25-17.

The third set was intense. NAU faced a deficit, trailing 17-10 before regrouping. They regained momentum with timely blocks and determined attacks, ultimately winning the set 26-24 thanks to kills and back-to-back aces from Stoddard.

Murphy noted, “Our defense was solid and our offense well-balanced. Even when challenged, the team’s character shone through.”

Stoddard emerged as a key player, leading with 16 kills, three aces, and 12 digs. Greenlee and Wadsworth also contributed significantly, each adding nine kills. Greenlee topped the team with six blocks. Libero Melia Barlow anchored the defense with 14 digs.

Looking ahead, NAU will face Montana State on October 2 at 6 p.m. MST and Montana on October 4 at 1 p.m. MST. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.

Staying updated is easy! Follow Northern Arizona Volleyball on X and Instagram.

This season, the Lumberjacks are on a roll, showing resilience and teamwork. According to recent statistics, successful teams often emphasize collaboration and adaptability. These traits can impact performance significantly, suggesting that NAU’s strong showing is not just talent but also excellent team dynamics. The future looks bright for NAU as they aim to build on this success in their upcoming matches.

Source link