@UNCBearsVB Looks to Continue Momentum In Treasure State

Friday, November 6

Missoula, Mont.

7:00 pm

University of Northern Colorado

Montana

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

11/3/2015 4:29:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

UNC looks to punch its ticket to the BIg Sky Tournament this weekend

By: Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

Match 26
Who: Montana 7-17, 3-9 Big Sky
When: Friday, November 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Missoula, Mont., West Auxiliary Gym
Gameday Central

Match 27
Who: Montana State 3-17, 1-11 Big Sky
When: Friday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Bozeman, Mont., Shroyer Gym
Gameday Central

Game Notes: Northern Colorado | Big Sky | Montana | Montana State

GREELEY, Colo. -- Northern Colorado took a big step towards qualifying for the Big Sky Tournament for the 10th straight year last week with wins over Portland State and North Dakota.

This weekend, the Bears have a chance to officially punch their ticket. With a win over Montana on Friday night, the Bears will secure a spot in the eight team tournament that will take place November 19-21 at the site of the Big Sky regular season champion.

UNC travels to the Treasure State this weekend facing Montana on Friday and Montana State on Saturday. Both the Griz and Bobcats visited Greeley at the beginning of October with the Bears coming up victors in both matches. UNC beat UM in four sets and swept MSU in those matches.

Coming into the weekend, Northern Colorado has a pair of players on double-double streaks in Ashley Guthrie (4) and Kendra Cunningham (3). Cunningham is also tied for second in the Big Sky with 11 double-doubles this season.

Montana enters Friday night's game with a 3-9 Big Sky record and currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the conference tournament. Outside hitter Hannah Sackett is the engine of the team averaging 4.19 kills per set and 2.05 digs per set.

Meanwhile, Montana State is on a 10 match losing streak, having gone winless during the month of October. MSU uses a balanced offensive attack led by Loni Kreun (2.88 KPS), while Kasey Altman (4.23 digs per set) and Eli Svisco (0.87 blocks per set) pace the defense.

UNC returns home after this road trip for the final two regular season matches of the season against Eastern Washington on November 12 and Idaho on November 14.

To stay up to date with all the news and notes on UNC volleyball follow us on @UNCBearVB on Twitter.