FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Thursday night's tilt between the top two teams in the Big Sky Conference was an all-out battle, but it was Northern Arizona (22-8, 14-3) that came out on top over Idaho (20-9, 14-3) in three sets.  The loss ends Idaho's 12-match winning streak, the longest in the program since 1995.
 
"It was a tough night for us," said head coach, Debbie Buchanan.  "We had game point in the first two sets but weren't able to put the ball away.  We did some good things blocking and defensively but just had too many errors.  We will get back in the gym tomorrow and get ready for our last match at home!"

Kaela Straw tied for the team-high with 11 kills while hitting .152.  DeVonne Ryter made the most of her chances, hitting .400 and finishing with eight kills to go with three blocks.  Idaho hit just .145, going under .200 for the first time since September.
 
Set one went back-and-forth early on but NAU was able to take a small lead midway through.  After the Lumberjacks took a 24-21 advantage the Vandals turned it on with four straight points to take over at 25-24.  NAU was able to withstand the run, however, and scored three straight to win the set, 27-25.
 
The Lumberjacks kept that momentum going into the second and got out to a 13-10 lead.  As they did in the first, the Vandals were able to take over with a 4-0 run.  Idaho maintained for the majority of the set, eventually getting up 22-19, but NAU stuck with it and forced extra volleyball before taking the set, 26-24.
 
The third set got out to the same close start as the previous two.  Idaho leveled the score at 17, but NAU rattled off six straight and took the set, 25-19.
 
Idaho returns home to celebrate Senior Night and take on Southern Utah at 7 p.m. on Saturday in Memorial Gym.  With a win the Vandals would lock up at least a share of the Big Sky Regular Season Championship.  Idaho will be either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed at the Big Sky Championship in Greeley, Colo., next weekend, depending on the outcome of Saturday's match and NAU-EWU, also on Saturday.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho volleyball by following the team on Twitter and Instagram, @IdahoVolleyball.
 
For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com. Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals.