MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho volleyball team (3-15, 0-6 BSC) will cap off the first half of its Big Sky schedule, traveling to Greeley and Flagstaff for a pair of matches against Northern Colorado (10-8, 4-3 BSC) and Northern Arizona (2-12, 1-6 BSC), on Thursday and Saturday, respectively. 
 
Thursday's matchup with Northern Colorado is slated for 5 p.m. PT at Bank of Colorado Arena. Saturday's tilt against Northern Arizona is set for a noon first serve at Rolle Activity Center. Fans can view both matches live on ESPN+. 

HOW TO FOLLOW 
Idaho vs. Northern Colorado // Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. PT // Bank of Colorado Arena
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: SIDEARM Live Stats

Idaho vs. Northern Arizona // Oct. 22 at 12 p.m. // Rolle Activity Center
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: StatBroadcast

Last time out, the Vandals fell at Eastern Washington (8-10, 3-3 BSC) in four sets. After falling down 2-0 in the match last Friday, the Silver and Gold responded with a dominant 25-14 win in the third set. The Eagles ultimately fended off the Vandal comeback, taking the fourth set by a score of 25-19. Three Idaho attackers recorded double-digit kills, with freshman Olivia Gloeckner leading the way with 13 and Allison Munday and Taryn Vrieling each posting 12. Not only did Gloeckner record her third straight double-figure kill total, but she also added her second double-double in three games with 11 digs. Hailey Pelton and Kate Doorn split time at setter, as Pelton posted a team-high 26 assists and Doorn added 10. 

NOTABLES

• Freshman Olivia Gloeckner has been a consistent performer for the Idaho attack, averaging 11 kills over her last eight matches in comparison to 4.3 kills in the first 10 matches to start the season. She has posted 10 or more kills in six matches, including the last three. Gloeckner leads the team at the service line with 18 aces. 
• Setter Hailey Pelton delivered two consecutive double-doubles in matches versus Idaho State and Weber State - she previously recorded three double-doubles in her previous 60 matches. She put up 46 assists and 10 digs against the Bengals before posting 29 assists and 12 digs against the Wildcats.
• In conference matches, middle blocker Travel Morris is averaging the fifth most blocks per set with 1.05. She's leading the Vandals at the net, recording three or more blocks in six of the last seven matches. 
• Outside hitter Allison Munday tallied her first double-double of the season against Weber State, with 10 kills and 13 digs. 
• The Vandals earned two Big Sky Conference Player of the Week awards during the same week for the first time since 2018, with freshman setter Kate Doorn earning offensive honors and freshman middle hitter Madison Wilson being recognized for Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 19. 
• Outside hitter Taryn Vrieling has been a consistent performer for the Vandals in her first season at Idaho, leading the team in kills (160), kills per set (2.67) and points per set (3.08). 
• Vrieling received All-Tournament Team honors in her first collegiate invite at Youngstown State (8/26-27) after posting a combined 25 kills, six blocks and five digs. 
• Madison Wilson leads the team on the defensive end with 54 total blocks. Her 10-block effort against Tarleton State (9/10) is tied for the second most stuffs in a single match by a conference player. 
• Libero Aine Doty has tallied double-digit digs in 14 out of 18 matches in her true freshman season, including a season-best of 23 against Weber State (10/8). She is averaging the ninth-highest mark for digs per set (3.91) in conference matches.The Vandals are ranked fifth in the Big Sky in team blocks with 2.14 per set while sitting seventh in service aces (1.23). 
• First-year head coach Chris Gonzalez guided the Vandals to a straight-set sweep over Morehead State on Sept. 16 at the UNIWYO Invite to earn his first win as an Idaho head coach. The victory preceded two additional wins, as Idaho went a perfect 3-0 and were crowned tournament champions at UNIWYO Invite.
• The 2022 season marks the 49th year of Idaho volleyball.
• The Vandals were picked to finish ninth in the Big Sky Conference preseason poll.

ABOUT NORTHERN COLORADO

• The Bears are 10-8 on the season and hold a 4-3 conference record. UNC enters the week with a two-match win streak after defeating Montana State (3-2) and Montana (3-0). 
• Attackers Kailey Jo Ince and Makenzie Harris lead the UNC offense with 244 and 190 kills, respectively. Ince ranks fourth in the Big Sky with 3.44 kills per set while Harris follows in fifth with 3.33. The Big Sky leader in assists resides in Greeley, as Syd Cole has compiled 797 assists and is averaging 11.23 per set.
• Northern Colorado leads the conference in multiple statistical categories, including hitting percentage (.269), assists (928) and kills (993). 
• The Vandals and Bears meet for the 20th time in program history. UNC leads the series 7-12 and has won the last six matchups.

ABOUT NORTHERN ARIZONA

• The Lumberjacks are 2-12 on the season and hold a 1-6 conference record. NAU dropped a pair of matches on the road at Montana (2-3) and Montana State (0-3). 
• Outside hitter Taylor Jacobsen leads the conference in kills per set with an average of 5.13. Defensively, libero Millie O'ketter has been another Big Sky leader for the Jacks, posting 4.53 digs per set. 
• NAU holds a 20-12 all-time series record over the Vandals. Idaho will look for their first win over the Lumberjacks since 2019.   

UP NEXT
After three straight road games, the Vandals return home for a pair of matches against Montana State (Oct. 27, 6 p.m.) and Montana (Oct. 29, 1 p.m.).

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