With a new season just around the corner, it’s time to catch up with fall sports. Helping fans know what to expect next season, this list gives the strengths and weaknesses of each volleyball team in the Big Sky conference ordered by last year’s regular season standings. This program will follow all NCAA Big Sky sports starting in the fall.

Weber State University

Strengths:
Weber State lost a heartbreaker in the Big Sky championship to Northern Colorado. The good news is, they won the regular season title, solidifying that the tournament once again runs through Ogden, Utah.

Head coach Jeremy Larsen has led the Wildcats to some of its most memorable victories and a Big Sky championship. Big Sky conference MVP Dani Nay will also return this season to lead the now young Wildcat’s team.

Weaknesses:
Rylin Adams, Sam Schiess and Ashlyn Power are some of the best players to ever compete in the Big Sky. In fact, when discussing the greatest volleyball player to ever play for Weber State it’s impossible to not bring up Rylin Adams. The Wildcats have the tools to make a winning team, but that doesn’t mean they won’t have to figure out how to fill holes along the way.

University of Northern Colorado

Strengths:
As with any team coming off a championship run, the Bears have momentum. Finishing second in the regular season behind the Wildcats, Northern Colorado edged out Weber State in five sets for the Big Sky conference title.

Statistical giants, the Bears were able to finish the season leading in assists and kills. Player of the Week winners and All-Conference first team members Kailey Jo Ince and Rachel Hickman will be back as well as setter Syd Cole who was pivotal in the Bear’s championship run. Clutch outsider hitter Makenzie Harris will also be coming back next season.

Weaknesses:
Northern Colorado is dealing with the biggest problem the Big Sky’s best are facing: graduates and transfers. Lauren Strain, one of the team’s All-Conference players, transferred to Wake Forest University this year. Three other seniors left the team as well, including Laura Katarzynski who dominated in the final sets of the Big Sky championship.

Portland State University

Strengths:
The Vikings ended last season with a loss to Northern Colorado in the Big Sky championship as well as a loss to Weber State in the National Invitational. With three All-Conference team members returning next season, Portland State is poised to come back stronger.

Last year’s Vikings finished the season leading in digs and dominating with their elite defense. Although they lost five seniors, Portland State’s kept a solid core. 60% of their lineup is comprised of seniors and juniors that have years of experience with head coach Michael Seemann’s program.

Weaknesses:
In a vacuum, it could be argued that Portland State has the best chance of winning the regular season title as well as the postseason title next season. However, the Vikings haven’t won a regular season title since 2013 and a Big Sky championship since 2010. The team’s postseason struggles were on full display last season when they were eliminated from two tournaments after winning only one set in each match. Portland State has to have their veteran-stacked team come back postseason ready.

Montana State University

Strengths:
Sending four players to the All-Conference second team last season, the Bobcats ended their season with a close loss to Weber State in the Big Sky tournament. Not only are three of those four players coming back, but they’re also entering only their junior and sophomore seasons. The list includes blocks leader Emma Pence, Big Sky Conference freshman of the year Jordan Radick and offensive threat Kira Thomsen.

Weaknesses:
Despite having multiple key returners, this team doesn’t have a single senior on the roster this season. Like Portland State, this is a team tasked with making a legacy for a team that’s never won a Big Sky conference championship or a regular season title. The Bobcats shouldn’t be counted out this year, but they may be a team more of a threat in 2023 than this year.

Northern Arizona University

Strengths:
Before being eliminated by Montana State in the Big Sky tournament, the Lumberjacks were on an impressive run. The team won five of their last seven games to place fourth in the Big Sky. Led by All-Conference first team member Taylor Jacobsen and junior Millie O-Ketter, Northern Arizona had the best hitting percentage in the Big Sky. The Lumberjacks are also a team that’s tough around the net, having the lowest opponent blocks average in the conference.

Weaknesses:
All-Conference second team members Ryann Davis and Morgan Gappmayer will not be returning next season. Although they finished off the season on a run, the Lumberjacks went only three for seven prior. Northern Arizona is a team that will look for more consistency in the upcoming season.

California State University, Sacramento

Strengths:
The Hornets’ postseason was short-lived last season, but that doesn’t mean their players were unsuccessful. Four players were named to Big Sky All-Conference teams and two received player of the week honors. Led by All-Conference first team member Bridgette Smith, Sacramento State had a solid defense that led the Big Sky in blocks.

Weaknesses:
The Hornets may have led in blocks, but were fairly subpar statistically. A team with a mediocre hitting percentage as well as a low number of assists, Sacramento State could benefit from better ball movement and overall offense.

Eastern Washington University

Strengths:
Rounding the bottom of the teams that qualified for the Big Sky tournament, the Eagles were blown out by Northern Colorado in the first round. It’s a team that dominated in service aces with Ashlyn Blotzer. The Eagles have a decent defense as well as solid role players like McKenna Russell to add to their developing team.

Weaknesses:
Eastern Washington’s offense is subpar at best. With a .183 hitting percentage, the Eagles couldn’t muster top five in assists, kills nor blocks. Blotzer, who won’t return, was their best server. A small roster, Eastern Washington needs to add offensive firepower to their lineup.

University of Montana

Strengths:
The lowest-ranked team to make the tournament last year, the Grizzlies were swept by the Wildcats at the beginning of the tournament. The good news for Montana is that their best player from last season, Paige Clark, will be returning. The team has six freshmen to create a new future for the Grizzlies.

Weaknesses:
Montana hasn’t had a great volleyball team since the early 90’s. They have what it takes to be a good offense, but they lack height. Elise Jolly is the only player taller than 6’1″ and she’s a red-shirting senior, hence the reason why this team isn’t leading in kills and blocks.

Idaho State University

Strengths:
Idaho State was three wins away from a tournament berth. This team is young with five freshmen on the roster. Despite having arguably the worst offense in the Big Sky, they have the makings of a good defense. With their young roster, there’s a chance they can rebuild this season and win games.

Weaknesses:
This is a team that lacks height and star players. Their offense wasn’t able to hold its own during in-conference matchups, which was proven in the ten matches they were swept in. Although they’re more of a defensive team than an offensive one, their defense is middle of the pack at best.

University of Idaho

Strengths:
It’s hard to outline the strengths of a two-win team. Missing the tournament, this team wasn’t able to hold its own against their Big Sky opponents. Their tall lineup with a good mix of returners and freshmen could bring the Vandals back to something that resembles their mid-90’s dominance.

Weaknesses:
Their weakness is also a strength in saying that it’s only up from here. Their offense is bad but not the worst in the conference and their defense was only able to stop digs. Although one could argue that Idaho State needs even more work than Idaho, they still are lacking key pieces to an efficient team.

The volleyball season for Weber State will start on August 20 at 1 p.m. with an exhibition match against Air Force Academy at Swenson Gym.