Fifth Set Rally Gives @UNCBearsVB Win Over Thunderbirds

Friday, November 9

Cedar City, Utah

6:30 pm

University of Northern Colorado

13-11 (9-6BSC)

Southern Utah

5-23 (4-12BSC)

Northern Colorado

Southern Utah

Photo by: Woody Myers

11/9/2018 10:27:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Northern Colorado avoided surrendering a 2-0 lead to Southern Utah in the match with a gritty performance in the fifth set

By: Matthew Kushar, UNCBears.com

CEDAR CITY, UT- Friday night was almost spoiled for Northern Colorado volleyball, but the team rallied late to defeat Southern Utah 3-2 [25-19, 25-19, 21-25, 19-25, 16-14].

UNC trailed 14-12 in the fifth set, with the Thunderbirds serving for match point. The Bears pinned their ears back and closed out the fifth set on a 4-0 run, with a pair of kills from Taylor Muff to help clinch the victory. UNC was able to overcome seven kills from Southern Utah's Janet Kalaniuvalu in the fifth set. Jadyn McCartney and Brittany Lawrence each had three kills in the final set to give the Bears an opportunity at the end.

"I'm still wondering how we pulled out that win," head coach Lyndsey Oates said. "It was one point at a time and the girls stuck with it. We kept emphasizing playing to win and not avoiding the loss. At times we did that and other times we were hesitant. We just have to keep getting better."

The five hitters for UNC each scored in double-digit kills and the team finished with 68 for the second best total of the season. Muff led the Bears with 16 kills, while McCartney matched her career-high with 15 kills. Brittany Lawrence and Kortney Lockey each had 13; a career best for Lawrence. Lauren Hinrichs finished with 10.

The Bears offense had to match the Thunderbirds' outside hitter Kalaniuvalu, who finished with a Southern Utah, program-record 30 kills and also hitting .286.

The night started well for UNC in the first two sets, as the Bears won both 25-19. UNC had a staggering .500 attack percentage in the first set with 19 kills, while slightly slowing down in the second with a .412 percentage and 20 kills. UNC's offense was overwhelming in the first two sets, despite Southern Utah hitting above .300 in both sets.

In the third, the Bears offense struggled with nine attack errors to nine kills and Southern Utah won 25-21. The fourth set was a similar story, as
UNC hit .122 in the set and the Thunderbirds won, 25-19. Kalaniuvalu powered the Southern Utah offense with seven kills in the third and six in the fourth.

Northern Colorado finished with a .253 attack percentage and Southern Utah had a .288 attack percentage.

"The first two sets were about as efficient as we have played all conference season," Oates added. "I'm really pleased how we attacked the match. Then we got too high error. As soon as they challenged us defensively and stopped a few balls; we tried too much in some situations and got hesitant. At least we learned that lesson with that win tonight and not regretting it from a loss."

UNC has already clinched a spot in the Big Sky Tournament after last night and can continue improve its seeding in the final regular season weeks.

Game Notes

Taylor Muff had a team-high 16 kills and added 10 digs for her eighth double-double of the season. Muff also added three aces to give her a team-leading 33 this season.
Kortney Lockey recorded her 14^th double-double of the season with 13 kills and 15 digs.
Brittany Lawrence had a career night, with 13 kills and a .385 attack percentage, committing only three errors on 26 attempts.
Jadyn McCartney matching her career best with 15 kills, that was also her season high. McCartney was efficient with a .382 attack percentage and a pair of errors on 24 total attempts. In 2017, McCartney scored 15 in a home match against Montana State.
Freshman Kyndall Feather matched her career-best with three service aces against the Thunderbirds, scoring three earlier this year against Eastern Washington (10/20).
Daisy Schultz nearly matched her career-high in assists with 62 on Friday night. It is the second-best mark for her career after scoring 63 earlier this season against Northern Arizona (10/13)
Taylor Els finished with 29 digs for her 48^th consecutive match with double-digit digs.