Weber State University Athletics
Saturday, September 24
Ogden
6:00 PM
Weber State University
7-6,1-1Big Sky
3
vs
1
Northern Arizona
1-8,0-2Big Sky
1
2
3
4
F
Northern Ariz.
13
25
15
18
1
Weber St.
25
17
25
25
3
Photo by: Freddie Lacey
Wildcats Return to Winning Ways, Beat Lumberjacks in Four
9/24/2022 9:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
OGDEN, Utah – Weber State volleyball made its way back to Swenson Gym on Saturday evening as the Wildcats returned to their winning ways with a 3-1 (25-13, 17-25, 25-15, 25-18) win over the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.
Known for their serving prowess, the Wildcats were showing off from the service line to start the match. Kate Standifird's serving was on point and the 'Cats hardly had to touch the ball as they were off to the races with an 11-0 start. WSU hit .286 as a team, scored 12 kills, and outblocked the 'Jacks 3-1 en route to a 25-13 blowout in the opening set.
NAU came out with some fight in the second frame, however. With Dani Richins playing libero, the Lumberjacks limited WSU to just eight kills, and NAU controlled the second set with a 25-17 victory.
That seemed to awaken the Wildcats from their second set slumber, though, and Weber State diced up the opposition in the third set. Three Emma Mangum kills along with a Standifird service ace got things rolling for the Wildcat offense. The 'Cats hit .516 as a team, knocked down 17 kills to go along with two aces and 3 blocks, and Weber State ran away with the third set.
The Wildcats still had the pedal to the metal in the fourth. WSU jumped out to a 7-1 lead which forced NAU to call a timeout in an attempt to halt Weber State's run. NAU closed the deficit to a single point at 10-9, but the Wildcat offense was too much for the 'Jacks. Outhitting NAU .344-.030, the Wildcat offense sparked the team and carried them to defend their home court close out the match 25-18 in four sets.
Weber State (7-6, 1-1) snaps a two-match losing streak and gives the 'Cats their first Big Sky Conference win of the season.
NOTABLES
-With her first dig of the night, Makayla Sorensen became the 13th Wildcat to join the exclusive 1,000-Dig Club, doing so as just a sophomore. Her 22 digs led the team and were one shy of matching her career high.
-Richins was the lone member of the double-double club with 12 kills and a season high 21 digs. She finished the evening with a blistering .462 hitting percentage.
-Emma Mangum set a new season high with 14 kills and did so on just 30 swings for a .367 hitting percentage.
-Baylee Bodily's nine block assists led all players.
-Weber State oublocked NAU 13.0-8.0, and served seven aces compared to NAU's five.
QUOTABLES
"I don't think we played exceptionally crisp at all. I thought we could have been a lot better at some of the things we're trying to work on to get better. Luckily, we had Dani who had a great match and Emma. We passed a bit better than they did. Overall, I think it's a good, eye-opening experience and we can play at a better level than what we did. […] Ever since (Makayla Sorensen) has walked on campus we've had stability in the libero position and our serve receive has been really good. We're grateful that she's here and proud of her. Happy for her 1,000 digs and looking for a couple thousand more." – Jeremiah Larsen
"I think this match shows our depth like the other ones have. We have people to sub in when other people are struggling, which I think is super important. […] Makayla is a baller. She's seriously so awesome and she's so dependable back there. She always does her job and I know she always has my back. She really is so underrated, and I don't think that people give her the credit that she deserves. She's humble and she doesn't want it, but she just is trusted back there and does her job. I can't say enough good things about Makayla." – Dani Richins
"If you know me at all, you know that I'm not about the accolades or anything like that. […] I have never thought about that, I didn't know that I was close to it. Obviously, it's awesome because it's so high and not everyone gets that, but if I can help my team and if that's what I'm doing, that's my job. These past three years that's what my job has been. It's awesome, but it's just a number to me." – Makayla Sorensen
UP NEXT
Weber State, who only plays one match next week, continues Big Sky Conference play with a trip north to face the Idaho State Bengals on Friday, September 30 at 7:00. The Bengals (9-5, 1-0 as of this writing) have been one of the hottest teams in the Big Sky to start this season.
All regular season and postseason home and Big Sky Conference matches can be seen on ESPN+.
TICKETS
Season and single match tickets are on sale and can be purchased online or by calling the Weber State ticket office at 801-626-8500.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Make sure to follow Weber State volleyball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to stay up to date with everything happening with the Wildcats.
Known for their serving prowess, the Wildcats were showing off from the service line to start the match. Kate Standifird's serving was on point and the 'Cats hardly had to touch the ball as they were off to the races with an 11-0 start. WSU hit .286 as a team, scored 12 kills, and outblocked the 'Jacks 3-1 en route to a 25-13 blowout in the opening set.
NAU came out with some fight in the second frame, however. With Dani Richins playing libero, the Lumberjacks limited WSU to just eight kills, and NAU controlled the second set with a 25-17 victory.
That seemed to awaken the Wildcats from their second set slumber, though, and Weber State diced up the opposition in the third set. Three Emma Mangum kills along with a Standifird service ace got things rolling for the Wildcat offense. The 'Cats hit .516 as a team, knocked down 17 kills to go along with two aces and 3 blocks, and Weber State ran away with the third set.
The Wildcats still had the pedal to the metal in the fourth. WSU jumped out to a 7-1 lead which forced NAU to call a timeout in an attempt to halt Weber State's run. NAU closed the deficit to a single point at 10-9, but the Wildcat offense was too much for the 'Jacks. Outhitting NAU .344-.030, the Wildcat offense sparked the team and carried them to defend their home court close out the match 25-18 in four sets.
Weber State (7-6, 1-1) snaps a two-match losing streak and gives the 'Cats their first Big Sky Conference win of the season.
NOTABLES
-With her first dig of the night, Makayla Sorensen became the 13th Wildcat to join the exclusive 1,000-Dig Club, doing so as just a sophomore. Her 22 digs led the team and were one shy of matching her career high.
-Richins was the lone member of the double-double club with 12 kills and a season high 21 digs. She finished the evening with a blistering .462 hitting percentage.
-Emma Mangum set a new season high with 14 kills and did so on just 30 swings for a .367 hitting percentage.
-Baylee Bodily's nine block assists led all players.
-Weber State oublocked NAU 13.0-8.0, and served seven aces compared to NAU's five.
QUOTABLES
"I don't think we played exceptionally crisp at all. I thought we could have been a lot better at some of the things we're trying to work on to get better. Luckily, we had Dani who had a great match and Emma. We passed a bit better than they did. Overall, I think it's a good, eye-opening experience and we can play at a better level than what we did. […] Ever since (Makayla Sorensen) has walked on campus we've had stability in the libero position and our serve receive has been really good. We're grateful that she's here and proud of her. Happy for her 1,000 digs and looking for a couple thousand more." – Jeremiah Larsen
"I think this match shows our depth like the other ones have. We have people to sub in when other people are struggling, which I think is super important. […] Makayla is a baller. She's seriously so awesome and she's so dependable back there. She always does her job and I know she always has my back. She really is so underrated, and I don't think that people give her the credit that she deserves. She's humble and she doesn't want it, but she just is trusted back there and does her job. I can't say enough good things about Makayla." – Dani Richins
"If you know me at all, you know that I'm not about the accolades or anything like that. […] I have never thought about that, I didn't know that I was close to it. Obviously, it's awesome because it's so high and not everyone gets that, but if I can help my team and if that's what I'm doing, that's my job. These past three years that's what my job has been. It's awesome, but it's just a number to me." – Makayla Sorensen
UP NEXT
Weber State, who only plays one match next week, continues Big Sky Conference play with a trip north to face the Idaho State Bengals on Friday, September 30 at 7:00. The Bengals (9-5, 1-0 as of this writing) have been one of the hottest teams in the Big Sky to start this season.
All regular season and postseason home and Big Sky Conference matches can be seen on ESPN+.
TICKETS
Season and single match tickets are on sale and can be purchased online or by calling the Weber State ticket office at 801-626-8500.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Make sure to follow Weber State volleyball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to stay up to date with everything happening with the Wildcats.
Team Stats
NAU
Weber
Kills
40
50
Errors
28
16
Attempts
140
136
Hitting %
.086
.250
Points
53
70
Assists
39
45
Aces
5
7
Blocks
8
13
Game Leaders
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
7
Kills
12
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
9
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOPP
/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/OH
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