Weber State University’s volleyball team redeemed themselves with a 3–1 win against Northern Arizona University on Sept. 24 after losing their Big Sky opener to Portland State University 3–0 on Sept. 22.

“Losing the opener was hard,” Wildcat setter Kate Standifird said. “Especially against Portland, who’s a good team, and I think something we wanted to do was come out and compete better.”

Weber State was quick to capitalize on a lead and went on an 11–0 run to kick off the first set. NAU found themselves on the board after a kill from Savannah Hasson.

The Lumberjacks looked to keep the momentum going, but weren’t able to catch the ‘Cats before the first set ended 25–13 for the Wildcats.

The second set went back and forth for the first half before Northern Arizona went on a 5–0 run. Weber State made it a bit further than NAU did in the first set but wasn’t able to seal the deal, dropping the set 25–17.

“We started off super well, and then we dug ourselves a big hole in the second set,” Standifird said. “Coming into the third set, we kind of talked a lot about, like, just going and competing.”

After entering the third set, the ‘Cats didn’t look back. Emma Mangum opened the set with two kills and Standifird pushed Weber State to a 3–0 lead.

The ‘Jacks weren’t able to produce anything before the ‘Cats went on a 5–0 run with kills from Mangum and Dani Richins. NAU assisted Weber State’s lead by giving the Wildcats attack errors. The ‘Cats won the third set 25–15.

Of the four sets, NAU was closest to a comeback before falling in the final set 25–18.

Mangum led the squad with 14 kills and seven blocks. Richins was close behind with 12 kills. Baylee Bodily collected five kills with nine blocks, and Ashley Gneiting had five kills with two blocks.

Makayla Sorensen made history as the 13th Wildcat to collect her thousandth dig. In her historic performance, Sorensen collected 22 digs, with Richins close behind with 21.

The Wildcats currently sit at 7–6 overall and 1–1 in conference play.

Weber State will hit the road and travel to Idaho to take the Idaho State University Bengals on Sept. 30.

The Bengals previously reverse-swept the reigning Big Sky Tournament champions, the University of Northern Colorado Bears, on Sept. 22.

The ‘Cats will be on the road against EWU and the University of Idaho before hosting Sacramento State on Oct. 13 at the Swenson Gym.