University of Northern Colorado Athletics
University of Northern Colorado
3-5
Loyola Marymount
9-0
Volleyball Split Final Matches of Long Beach State/Loyola Marymount Invitaional
9/13/2014 2:34:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Northern Colorado volleyball splits final two matches of the LBSU/LMU Invitational, led by Brianna Strong tying a career record.
LOS ANGELES – Northern Colorado volleyball finished the Long Beach State/Loyola Marymount Invintational splitting matches against host Loyola Marymount (20-25, 16-25, 14-25) and Texas A&M Corpus Christ (19-25, 25-21, 23-25, 26-24, 15-9), moving to 4-5 on the year.
The Bears ended the tournament winning against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (4-7 overall) in the night cap after falling to LMU (9-0) earlier. Senior middle blocker Brianna Strong led the bears in the match with a career tying high 19 kills in the five setter.
"We were able to rebound tonight with good energy and good execution," said head coach Lyndsey Oates, "We got Bri(anna) Strong going offensively tonight and we are starting to find some combinations that will work down the road."
The Bears got out to a sluggish start against the Islanders hitting only .088 in the first set falling in it 25-19. Northern Colorado was able to turn the tables in the second half holding Corpus-Christi to .028 hitting.
The third and fourth set were tight affairs with each team taking a set. The third went to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi by the score of 25-23. The third set belonged to junior outside hitter Kendra Cunningham who had 7 of the Bears 17 kills in the set. She finished the match with 13 kills and 10 digs for her third double-double of the season. Northern Colorado took the fourth set 26-24, led by Strong and 6 of her 19 kills of the night.
In the decisive fifth set it was all Northern Colorado, after falling into an early 2-0 hole, the Bears went on a 6-0 with Kendra Cunningham serving. The Bears held the Islanders to -.086 hitting in the final set, helped by 3 total team blocks.
Senior Andrea Spaustat also recorded a career high 10 total blocks in the match against the Islanders.
In the earlier of the two matches against LMU, the Bears struggled in serve receiving, having six errors in the match. These struggles did not help get the team's offense going as they finished hitting .066 for the match, meanwhile the Lions hit .271.
LMU used a run of 5-0 to take control of the first set at 17-11. Kendra Cunningham had four of her team leading seven kills in the first set as well. In the second set the teams went back and forth until a 7-0 run by Loyola Marymount. The final set was all LMU, as they started the set on an 11-3 run and never looked back. The Bears hit a season worst -.029 in the set.
Northern Colorado returns home to host the Hampton Inn and Suites Northern Colorado Classic next weekend, hosting Hampton University, UC Davis, and Wyoming. The Bears first match of the tournament will come against Hampton Friday, September 19th at 7:00 p.m. at Butler-Hancock.
