WEEKLY NOTEBOOK (PDF)
Sacramento State (17-7, 8-0): The Hornets continue to roll through the Big Sky Conference after picking up victories over Southern Utah and Northern Arizona last week. Sacramento State was led to its best conference start in school history by outside hitter Mikaela Nocetti who logged 20-plus kills in both matches over the weekend. Sacramento State leads the conference in team service aces (1.82/s) and team digs (19.07/s). The Hornets will start the second half of the Big Sky Conference schedule against the North Division leading Idaho Vandals. Sacramento State will also face Eastern Washington later that week.
Idaho (12-7, 7-1): Idaho won a pair of matches 3-1 this past week over Weber State and Eastern Washington. In conference matches, Junior middle blocker DeVonne Ryter leads the Big Sky in hitting percentage (.490), while the team ranks first in the conference in that same category (.284). The Vandals now boast a five-game winning streak and they look to extend it against unbeaten Sacramento State and Portland State this week.
North Dakota (21-4, 6-2): After suffering just their third and fourth losses of the season a week ago, The Fighting Hawks got back on track with a pair of victories over Montana State and Montana last week. Middle blocker Faith Dooley ranks third in block assists (504) and fourth in total blocks (611) in Big Sky history. UND’s stingy defense that allows opponents to hit an average of just (.153) will look to continue its dominance against Idaho State and Weber State this week.
Portland State (15-5, 6-2): The Vikings lost a tough match to Northern Arizona on Thursday, but rebounded well in a three-set sweep of Southern Utah on Saturday. Portland State tops the Big Sky in assist average and kill average over all matches played and in conference-only matches. The Viks senior libero, Tasha Bojanic, is the league leader in dig average (4.67/s) over all matches played this season. Portland State will travel north to face Eastern Washington and Idaho this week.
Idaho State (8-13, 5-3): Idaho State has now peeled off five-straight wins, conquering Eastern Washington and Weber State last week. Sophomore libero Haylie Keck continues to impress as she leads the league in total digs (171) since conference play began. The Bengals will tangle with North Dakota and Northern Colorado this week.
Northern Colorado (11-10, 4-4): The Bears found their form in pair of wins over Montana and Montana State last week. Outside hitter Kortney Lockey continues to lift Northern Colorado on the offensive end, logging 3.86 kills per set in all matches so far. Northern Colorado will try and keep its momentum against Weber State and Idaho State this week.
Eastern Washington (6-11, 3-5): Eastern Washington lost a pair of matchups against Idaho State and Idaho last week. Since Big Sky play started, the Eagles have recorded 17.58 digs per set, which is third in the league. Eastern Washington will start the second half of the season against Portland State and Sacramento State at home.
Northern Arizona (7-12, 3-5): The Lumberjacks began last week with an impressive upset of Portland State, but then lost on Saturday to Sacramento State. Abby Akin has certainly picked up the defensive effort as the sophomore ranks second in the Big Sky in total blocks (38) since league play began. NAU will battle Montana State and Montana this week.
Montana State (6-11, 2-6): The Bobcats fell to both North Dakota and Northern Colorado last week. Sophomore libero Allyssa Rizzo has fared well since the beginning of conference play, recording 4.90 digs per set. Up next for Montana State are the Lumberjacks of Northern Arizona and the Thunderbirds of Southern Utah.
Weber State (4-16, 2-6): Weber State dropped two contests to Idaho and Idaho State last week. Outside hitter Amanda Varley continues to be bright spot for the Wildcats as the senior averages 3.90 kills per set in conference matches. Weber State will go up against Northern Colorado and North Dakota.
Southern Utah (6-14, 1-7): The T-Birds got swept by both Sacramento State and Portland State last week. Middle blocker Anna Cox, just a freshman, is third best in the league with 1.19 blocks per set in league play. Southern Utah heads to Montana and Montana State this week.
Montana (6-15, 1-7): The Griz lost both matches last week to Northern Colorado and North Dakota. Ashley Watkins paces the Grizzlies offense with her 9.86 assists per set average, which ranks sixth in the Big Sky. Montana is back at it this week against Southern Utah and Northern Arizona.