GREELEY, CO — Idaho State Volleyball (11–17, 7–9 Big Sky) opens postseason play on Monday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. MT in Greeley, facing regular-season champion and No. 1 seed Northern Arizona (23–6, 13–3 Big Sky) in the first round of the 2025 Big Sky Conference Tournament. The Bengals enter as the No. 8 seed, while NAU secured the top seed after clinching the league title last night inside Bank of Colorado Arena.
This marks the second straight year the two programs will meet in the first round of the Big Sky Tournament.
The matchup comes just ten days after ISU and NAU played one of the wildest sets in NCAA history, with the Bengals taking the Lumberjacks to a 42-44 second set — the 5th-highest scoring set ever recorded in NCAA volleyball, the highest scoring set in the nation this season, and the highest scoring set in both Idaho State's and NAU's program histories.
Matchup Overview
Idaho State arrives in Greeley having won four of its last six, with home wins over Montana State and Montana to close the regular season. The Bengals remain one of the nation's top blocking teams, ranking 25th nationally in blocks per set and 17th nationally in total blocks.
Northern Arizona enters the tournament as the Big Sky's most complete team statistically, ranking among the league leaders in hitting (.239), blocks (2.35/set), kills (13.13/set), and digs (16.93/set).
Idaho State Season Snapshot
The Bengals' late-season surge has been powered by one of the most effective front-court duos in the conference and a rapidly improving freshman setter.
Team Leaders (through Nov. 22)
Quick Scout – No. 1 Northern Arizona (23–6, 13–3 Big Sky)
Northern Arizona enters the postseason as the 2025 Big Sky regular-season champion and the tournament's top seed.
Team Statistical Profile
-
Hitting Percentage: .239
-
Kills Per Set: 13.13
-
Assists Per Set: 12.24
-
Blocks Per Set: 2.35
-
Digs Per Set: 16.93
-
Aces Per Set: 1.32
Key Lumberjacks
-
Hanah Stoddard: 442 kills (3.98/set)
-
Gigi Greenlee: .370 hitting, 132 total blocks (1.19/set)
-
Keira Hall: 604 assists, 31 aces
-
Kylie Moran: 213 kills, 311 digs
-
Avery Gottschalk: 94 blocks, .271 hitting
Recent Form
-
Winners of 10 of their last 12
-
Clinched the regular-season title on Nov. 21 in Greeley
-
Defeated ISU 3–1 on Nov. 15, including the historic 44–42 set two
Players to Watch – Idaho State
Marci Bell (Senior, MB)
One of the top blockers in the Big Sky.
Jaydin Watts (Junior, MB)
One of the Big Sky's most efficient hitters and a major defensive presence.
Nora Waddoups (Freshman, S)
Ranked 19th out of all freshmen nationally in assists.
Jenna Werbelow (So., L)
Top-five in the Big Sky in digs per set.
How to Follow
Idaho State vs No. 1 Northern Arizona
📅 Monday, November 24
⏰ 1:00 p.m. MT
📍 Bank of Colorado Arena – Greeley, CO
📺 ESPN+
📊 Live Stats
Bengal Bites
-
ISU ranks 1st in the Big Sky and 25th nationally in blocks per set (2.65).
-
The Bengals' 42-44 set vs NAU is the highest scoring in NCAA volleyball this season.
-
ISU has recorded 10+ blocks in 15 matches this year.
-
Marci Bell and Jaydin Watts have combined for 251 blocks, the top middle duo in the league.
-
Idaho State is 3–5 in neutral-site matches this season.
