Volleyball to Close Season at Northern Colorado

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona volleyball will play its final match of the 2009 season on Saturday at Northern Colorado on Saturday, November 21 at 7 p.m. The Lumberjacks were eliminated from Big Sky Championship contention last weekend with losses to Portland State (3-0) and Eastern Washington (3-0).

NAU (8-16, 5-10 BSC) has lost three straight matches heading into the season finale against third-place Northern Colorado (18-11, 11-4 BSC). The Lumberjacks lost 3-1 to the Bears on Saturday, October 3. Freshman outside hitter Jen Wilson had career-highs in kills (16) and hitting percentage (.481) during that match.

After a 15-10 overall finish last year and a 7-9 record in the Big Sky, the Lumberjacks have played most of the season with just two returning starters. The Lumberjacks will finish below .500 this season, but will return all but one player, senior Jana Mays-Robinson, next season.

Last Week: Portland State & Eastern Washington
Freshman Kelli Dallmann recorded her ninth double-double of the season in a 3-0 loss to the Big Sky Conference’s first-place team Portland State. Dallmann totaled 17 assists and 12 kills as the Lumberjacks fell by scores of 25-22, 25-17, and 25-23. NAU played better as the match went along hitting .053 in the first set, .194 in the second, and .245 in the third. The Lumberjacks lost a 3-0 decision at Eastern Washington two days later. Dallmann led the Lumberjacks with nine kills averaging three kills-per-set for the match as NAU lost 25-18, 25-16, and 25-20.

Live Stats and Webcast
Live stats and webcast will be provided by Northern Colorado at www.uncbears.com. Live stats will be available free of charge. Big Sky TV (www.bigskytv.org) video streams all volleyball matches played in Big Sky venues. For the second straight season, the service will be free to viewers, but viewers will need to register at bigskytv.org in order to gain access.

Three O's
NAU has been swept in their last three matches, its worst streak of the season and a sign of a young team battling through a college season for the first time. Prior to the current three-match streak, the Lumberjacks had suffered just four 3-0 losses in its previous 21 matches with only one having come in conference play.

Out But Not Done
NAU was eliminated from Big Sky Championship contention last weekend with losses to Portland State and Eastern Washington. Montana State, Sacramento State and Weber State have albeen eliminated from the postseason tournament as well. The Lumberjacks have one match remaining this fall, a Nov. 21 matchup against third-place Northern Colorado.

Gott in Second
Freshman Anna Gott ranks second in the Big Sky Conference in digs per set (4.50). She has been in the top spot for three total weeks, but has consistently been in the top three throughout the season. She posted a career-high 29 digs against Idaho State on Halloween. Gott is also ranked 78th in all of NCAA Division I Women's volleyball in digs per set and 12th among freshman.

Top 10's
NAU has at least one player in the top 10 in four of the seven statistical categories within the Big Sky Conference. Freshman Anna Gott is first in digs (4.51 dpg) and fourth in service aces (0.35 sapg). Redshirt freshman Ashley Ames ranks seventh in blocks (0.90 bpg) and senior Jana Mays-Robinson sits eighth in assists (7.50 apg).

Dallmann in Rare Company
Freshman Kelli Dallmann is one of two players in Division I Women's volleyball to average two kills, three assists, and two digs per set. Dallmann has shown her versatility this season moving back and forth between outside hitter and setter.

The Young Get Younger
The Northern Arizona volleyball roster consists of 11 freshmen and sophomores. Junior Chelsea Cheeley and senior Jana Mays-Robinson are the only upperclassmen on the 2009 roster. During the conference season, the Lumberjacks have started six freshmen and one sophomores (including freshman libero Anna Gott).

Series History
The Lumberjacks hold are 6-6 all-time against Northern Colorado in a series dating back to 1974. NAU is currently on a four-match losing streak against the Bears. NAU lost to Northern Colorado earlier this year 3-1.

Northern Colorado (18-11, 11-4 Big Sky Conference)
After a six match win streak, Northern Colorado has dropped its last two against Eastern Washington and Portland State. The Bears four losses have come against the Big Sky Conference’s top teams in Portland State, Eastern Washington and Montana. Northern Colorado is hitting .244 on the year, the second-best hitting percentage in the league. They are limiting opponents to .209.

Players to Watch
Ashley Lichtenberg 6-2, OH, Jr. (2.20 kpg, .346 hit pct.)
Marissa Hughes 5-9, S, Fr. (10.81 apg, 1.54 dpg)
Kenzie Shreeve 6-2, OH, Sr. (3.27 kpg, 1.75 dpg)