WEEKLY NOTEBOOK (PDF)
Sacramento State (15-7, 6-0): Sacramento State arose victorious in a battle of unbeatens on Thursday, defeating North Dakota 3-2. In that match, Mikaela Nocetti tallied a career-high 21 kills. The Hornets also topped Northern Colorado to remain the only undefeated team in the Big Sky. with the two wins, Sacramento State improved its home winning streak in conference matches to 20. Senior setter Kennedy Kurtz collected 86 assists last week, pushing her total number to 4,835 assists over her four-year career. Her assist mark of 4,835 ranks sixth all-time in Big Sky history. The Hornets will defend the Nest once again this week, taking on Southern Utah followed by Northern Arizona.
Portland State (14-4, 5-1): The Vikings stayed strong this week, picking up a pair of victories against Northern Colorado and previously unbeaten North Dakota. Overall, Portland State leads the league in assist average (13.13) and kill average (13.83). In conference games, sophomore outside hitter Caitlin Bettenay leads the Big Sky in kill average (4.08 kills/s), while senior libero Tasha Bojanic anchors the Vikings defense with her 6.42 digs/s average. Senior setter Erin Clark has proven crucial to Portland State’s conference efforts, averaging 12.38 assists/set and 3.38 digs/set in last week’s matches. The Viks will look to stay right on Sacramento State’s heels in the Big Sky South Division as they face Northern Arizona and Southern Utah this week.
Idaho (10-7, 5-1): The Vandals battled to a pair of conference victories over Southern Utah and Northern Arizona this past week. Junior outside hitter Kaela Straw pummeled opponents with 43 total kills in her last two matches. Straw has certainly helped the Vandals become the league leader in team hitting percentage this year, guiding her squad to hit and average of .245 over all contests so far. Idaho also uses its length to defend, holding Big Sky foes to an average of .135, which ranks second in the conference. Idaho will suit up against Weber State and Eastern Washington on its home floor this week.
North Dakota (19-4, 4-2): The Fighting Hawks dropped a close match to Sacramento State in a showdown of unbeatens. North Dakota also suffered a 3-1 setback to Portland State to go 0-2 last week. Senior setter Sydney Griffin provided a spark in the form of the Big Sky’s first triple-double this season. Griffin logged 42 assists, 19 digs and 10 blocks against Sacramento State to record her first career triple double. In other news, senior middle hitter Faith Dooley now ranks third in Big Sky history with 494 career block assists. UND will look to rebound this week in a road trip against Montana State and Montana.
Eastern Washington (6-9, 3-3): The Eagles started the week strong with a sweep of Northern Arizona, but faltered against Southern Utah to go 1-1 last week. Senior outside hitter Ashley Seiler clubbed a total of 34 kills in her last two matches. EWU will face Idaho State at home and then travel to Idaho on the road.
Idaho State (6-13, 3-3): Idaho State rebounded in a big way, gutting out a pair of five-set victories over Montana and Montana State last week. Junior Abby Garrity nabbed a career-high 22 kills against Montana and 21 kills versus Montana State for a total of 43 kills. Idaho State is set to take on Eastern Washington and Weber State this week.
Northern Colorado (9-10, 2-4): The bears suffered losses to Portland State and Sacramento State last week. Outside hitter Kortney Lockey continues to spur on the Bears offense, collecting 28 total kills in her last two matches. Lockey also has a total of six double-doubles on the year. Northern Colorado will hit the road and face Montana and Montana State this week.
Northern Arizona (6-11, 2-4): Northern Arizona fell to Eastern Washington and Idaho last week. The Lumberjacks continue to rely on junior Kaylie Jorgenson as she ranks third in the Big Sky with 11 double-doubles on the year. The Lumberjacks will face tough tests this week against Portland State and Sacramento State.
Montana State (6-9, 2-4): The Bobcats toppled Weber State in a thrilling 3-2 win, but were then edged by Idaho State in another five-set contest. In Montana State’s victory of Weber State, Freshman middle blocker Kelsie White recorded a career-high in kills (13) and hit a clean .435. The Bobcats will host both North Dakota and Northern Colorado this week.
Weber State (4-14, 2-4): Weber State fell victim to a pair of losses last week against Montana State and Montana. in all matches, Weber State leads the conference in block average (2.78 blocks/s). Sophomore middle blocker Hannah Hill has helped the wildcats reach that number with her individual block average of 1.28 blocks/s, which leads all Big Sky Sophomores so far this season. Weber State will play Idaho and Idaho State this week.
Southern Utah (6-12, 1-5): The Thunderbirds got their first conference win of the season against Eastern Washington, but fell earlier in the week to Idaho. Freshman outside hitter Elisa Lago and senior outside hitter Macky Fifita both recorded double-doubles in Saturday’s win. SUU will play against Sacramento State and Portland State next.
Montana (6-13, 1-5): The Griz scored their first conference victory of the season over Weber State last week. Sophomore outside hitter Missy Huddleston posted a career-high 23 kills in the win over the Wildcats and the Griz went on to hit a season-best .270 as a team. Montana will hit the court against Northern Colorado and North Dakota this week