Back at Home, @UNCBearsVB Hosts Wildcats, Bengals in Key Matches

Thursday, November 1

Greeley, Colo.

7 pm

University of Northern Colorado

Weber State

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Photo by: Woody Myers

10/30/2018 10:59:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

Game Notes

Northern Colorado will look for a different result from the first meeting with these two teams

By: Matthew Kushar, UNCBears.com

After two weeks away from home, Northern Colorado volleyball returns to Greeley for two matches that have implications for the Big Sky standings. UNC (12-9, 8-4 Big Sky) will host Weber State on Thursday night at 7 pm and Idaho State on Saturday night at 7 pm.

Northern Colorado won both its matches last weekend to give the team its second three-match winning streak of the season. UNC started with a sweep of Montana State on Friday night in Bozeman. The following day, the Bears battled Montana and pulled off a 3-2 win against the Grizzlies. With eight wins in conference, UNC has now surpassed last season's Big Sky win total.

UNC was once again strong at the service line, posting 15 aces in the two wins, with seven against the Bobcats and eight against the Grizzlies. Laura Katarzynski led UNC with five and posted a career-high three against Montana.

UNC defense continued to hold opponents to a low hitting percentage, allowing a combined .109 average in both wins. Taylor Els had another strong weekend on the back row, finishing with a 4.12 digs per set average for a total of 33.

Kortney Lockey was a scoring force in the two matches for UNC, averaging 4.00 kills per set in eight set for a total of 32 kills. Lockey also recorded her 11th double-double of the season against Montana, scoring a season-best 19 kills and adding 14 digs.

Brittany Lawrence was a key contributor of the Bears offense, recording 22 kills over the weekend, hitting a blistering .463 in 41 attempts with only three errors. Against Montana State, Lawrence posted a .632 attack percentage. the highest percentage for UNC player with at least 12 kills since 2012.

Northern Colorado is currently tied with Weber State at fourth in the Big Sky, with both teams have an 8-4 record. Idaho State is right behind the Bears and Wildcats with a 7-4 record.

Scouting the Wildcats
Weber State comes to Greeley tied with UNC at 8-4 in conference matches and fourth in the conference. The Wildcats are coming off a sweep of Eastern Washington and a 3-1 loss to Idaho. Junior middle blocker Hannah Hill-DeYoung leads the Big Sky with 1.23 blocks per set and is also leads the conference with a 0.442 attack percentage. Hills recorded 11 kills and seven total blocks in the loss to Idaho.

UNC dropped its match against Weber State, 3-2, earlier this season in Ogden. Taylor Muff scored a career-high 19 kills in the match.

Scouting the Bengals
Idaho State sits at 6th in the Big Sky conference standings. with a 7-5 record. The Bengals swept Eastern Washington in their most recent match, but was swept by Idaho during the last week. Abby Garrity is the high scorer for Idaho state, with a 3.80 kills per set average, while hitting .253 on the season. Garrity is also second on the team with 2.14 digs per set and is third on the team with 20 service aces.

The Bengals swept the Bears in Pocatello back in early October. Kortney Lockey led UNC with 10 kills, while Garrity had a match high 14.

Following the Bears
Northern Colorado will play Weber State at 7 pm(MT) on Thursday, November 1^st in Bank of Colorado Arena. UNC will face Idaho State on Saturday November 3^rd at 7 pm.

The match against Weber State is faculty and staff appreciation night. All UNC faculty and staff can show their valid university ID and receive a $5 ticket (plus fees) at the ticket window. Thursday night against the Wildcats is also Bears Supporting Bears for all student-athletes to come and cheer on UNC volleyball.

On Saturday, UNC fans who attend the Bears football game against Eastern Washington can receive a $5 ticket (plus fees) to the volleyball match against Idaho State by showing their ticket at the ticket window.

Both matches will streamed live on PlutoTV(Channel 241) and live stats will be available on UNCBears.com. Follow the action live on Twitter with @UNCBearsVB.