Offense Helps Lead Volleyball to Sweep

Saturday, November 8

Greeley, Colo.

7 pm

University of Northern Colorado

17-9, 10-4Big Sky

Montana State

5-21, 2-12Big Sky

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Montana State	16	21	14	0
Northern Colorado	25	25	25	3

11/8/2014 10:14:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Northern Colorado volleyball swept through the weekend defeating Montana State 3-0 Saturday night

By: Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

GREELEY – Northern Colorado volleyball was firing on all cylinders Saturday night, sweeping past Montana State (25-16, 25-21, 25-14). This is the Bears sixth win in a row at home, five of which via sweep, including both this weekend.

The Bears (17-9, 10-4 Big Sky) out-hit the Bobcats (5-21, 2-12 Big Sky) in the match .375 to .175. This included four players hitting above .400.

"We were very efficient on offense tonight," head coach Lyndsey Oates said. "It was one of our better offensive matches. We attacked the ball well."

UNC had six different players record seven more or more. Kendra Cunningham and Brianna Strong tied for the lead in kills with 10. Timarie Nymeyer (seven), Ashley Guthrie (seven), Katie Champion (nine) and Andrea Spaustat (seven) were the other players with the seven-plus kills.

"It is awesome to have multiple options in the offense. We have so many great players and makes my life so much easier," Guthrie said.

The first set featured a lot of offense from both teams. Northern Colorado had 20 of its 25 points come off of kills and committed no errors. Montana State hit an impressive .324 in the set, but that did not compare to the Bears' .667.

Of the Bears 20 kills in the set Guthrie had 15 assists on them. She finished night with 41 assists.

"Ashley is amazing. We love having her as a setter," said Spaustat. "I know we wouldn't have half the success we have without her."

It was not just Guthrie's presence on the offensive end, but her play at the service line also played a key role in UNC's victory. She helped the Bears go on a 4-0 run to start the second set, including an ace during the run. In the third set, Guthrie helped slam the door on the sweep with a 3-0 run to go up 20-13.

Northern Colorado's defense improved each set, holding MSU to .211 hitting in the second set and .024 in the final set.

"Our defensive intensity improved over the match. We challenged the team to hold them under .200 at intermission and they responded," Oates said.

Meagan Garcia led the team with 19 digs, her 16th consecutive match with double-digit digs.

UNC will close out its Big Sky regular season play on the road against Eastern Washington Nov. 13 and Nov. 15. The Bears have already clinched a spot in the Big Sky tournament and currently trail North Dakota and Idaho for first place in the Big Sky North Division.