Spikers Win School Record 34th Consecutive Match at Home
Nov. 10, 2005
GREELEY, Colo. - Although they dropped their first set of the season at home, the University of Northern Colorado volleyball team still came out on the winning end of their opening match at the 2005 Division I Independent Championships, topping Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 3-1 on Thursday afternoon.
The victory was the 34th consecutive at home for Northern Colorado (13-11), which set a new program record for consecutive home wins, breaking the record formerly set by the Bears from 1985-87. UNC has not lost at home since the end of the 2001 season.
Northern Colorado had swept their four previous opponents at home this season, topping Air Force, South Dakota State, Utah Valley State and North Dakota State in straight sets.
The Bears started quickly, jumping on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (12-13) and winning the first set by 10 points. That momentum continued into game two as they won 30-24.
But the Islanders were finally able to do something that no other team had done this season in Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion, winning game three 30-26. In that set, the Bears hit a match-low .208.
But Northern Colorado responded in game four, building a 10-4 lead after 14 points, a quick enough start to force a Texas A&M-Corpus Christi timeout. UNC improved its hitting in the deciding set, hitting .343 compared to A&M-Corpus Christi's .000.
Lizzy Rhoads and Meredith Alder each had 15 kills to lead the Bears. Alder hit .500 (15-1-28) while Rhoads hit at a .444 clip (15-3-27). Senior Amanda Wiggins added 13 kills and 12 digs while setter Corrinne Chapin had 55 assists and 16 digs. Libero Abby Mayne had 17 digs.
The Islanders were led by 15 kills from Anna Machado. Kati Broom added a match-high 24 digs.
Northern Colorado is back in action tonight when they battle Texas-Pan American at 7 p.m. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is back in action on Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. when they meet IPFW.
