Nov. 23, 2007

Final Stats

Sacramento, CALIF. - The University of Northern Colorado volleyball team never quite got into an offensive flow, getting swept by Weber State University in the Big Sky Conference Tournament quarterfinals, 30-24, 30-26, 31-29 to end its season with a 10-20 record.

Sophomore outside hitter Kenzie Shreeve led the Bears with 10 kills and senior libero Abby Mayne ended her stellar career with a team-best 22 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Taylor Smith also tallied four blocks to lead the team and junior setter Lauren Carter had 34 assists.

"The key to the game was we never could get into a flow offensively," said Head Coach Lyndsey Benson. "Credit Weber State for making adjustments. We could just never find that rhythm."

The Wildcats were led by Chelsea Bair with 16 kills, while Micah Lines added 11 and Leah Burmeister added 10 kills and 16 digs. Libero Caitlyn Anderson led the match with 23 digs and Brittney Bisaillon had a match-high seven blocks.

"This definitely does not define our season," continued Benson. "We're going to miss two great seniors for next year, but we're young and will battle back from this."

Weber State jumped out to the early 3-0 lead in game one, but the Bears battled back to knot the score at 9-9. The Wildcats then used a 5-0 run to extend their lead to 14-9 with two aces by Anderson. After an NC timeout, the team seemed to regroup, scoring four of the next six points to tie the game again at 15-15. After the teams traded points to 16-16, Weber took the one point lead which was extended to four after three straight Bear errors and the Wildcats would hold on to win 30-24.

The Wildcats again used a run at the beginning of game two, scoring the first six points with two aces by Kim Lissinna. They stretched the lead to 10-1 and never looked back, leading the game the entire way and winning the second stanza 30-26.

NC took its first lead of the match on the first point of game three and battled to the bitter end, falling in extra points, 31-29. Tied at 4-4, the Bears rallied off four straight with three kills by Smith to lead 8-4. Weber State slowly battled back, tying the score again at 17-17. The teams battled with the score tied at every point from 21 to 25, then again at 27, 28 and 29 before the Wildcats scored two straight to win the match.

Weber State advances to the semifinals of the Big Sky Conference Tournament, while the Bears end their season and say goodbye to seniors Mayne and outside hitter Dulcie Stone.