Recap: @UNCBearsVB Sweeps Alabama State, Lockey Closes in on Milestone

Saturday, September 8

Greeley, Colo.

12 pm

University of Northern Colorado

3-5

Alabama State

3-7

Alabama State

Northern Colorado

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

9/8/2018 4:52:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Northern Colorado finished its Hampton Inn and Suites Northern Colorado Classic with a clean sweep of the Hornets

By: Matthew Kushar, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo.- After winning last night, Northern Colorado volleyball put together another strong performance to sweep Alabama State at Bank of Colorado Arena. Kortney Lockey was the difference maker on Saturday afternoon, with a game-high 16 kills and a .412 attack percentage.

Alabama State came to play against UNC and the team opened an early 7-3 lead over the Bears. The Hornets would extend their lead to as much as four at 10-6. The Bears responded with a 6-2 run that tied the match at 12, with kills from Jadyn McCartney and Brittany Lawrence.

UNC would take is first lead of the match at 14-13, but the score would be tied up at 15 three points later. The game remained close as Taylor Muff and Lockey began to assert themselves in the set, scoring three and two kills respectively. The Bears had a chance to close out the set, up 24-23, but the Hornets tied it up three times with UNC serving for set point. A pair of attack errors from ASU gave UNC the 29-27 set win.

The Bears had a 1-0 lead in the match, but the Hornets opened the second set strong, like the first, with a 3-0 run. Trailing in the set, Lockey continued to score and tied the set at 10 with three kills. A kill from Muff would give UNC the lead as she complimented Lockey with two kills. UNC built some separation from the Hornets with an 18-15 lead, using two more kills from Lockey. UNC won the set 25-19, riding four kills from McCartney and a clinching point from Lauren Hinrichs.

The sweep was in sight for the Bears, heading to the third set with a commanding 2-0 lead in the match. UNC raced out to a quick 4-0 lead, with a kill from McCartney and an ace from Taylor Els. The lead grew to 10-3 as Lockey and Hinrichs continued to score. The Bears saved their best for last as the team went on a 11-0 run to overwhelm the Hornets. Kayla Uyemura served aggressive at the line, scoring two aces, and Lockey helped power the run with four kills.

UNC closed out the set with a 25-8 win in the third and completed the sweep of Alabama State. The Bears hit .291 for the match and held the Hornets to a .079 statistic.

In Their Words

Lyndsey Oates, Head Coach

Kortney Lockey, Outside Hitter

Wrapping up the Tournament
Northern Colorado finished second at the Hampton Inn and Suites Northern Colorado Classic with a 2-1 record. San Jose State won the tournament with a 3-0 record, while Pacific finished third with a 1-2 record. Alabama State was fourth going 0-3.

Kortney Lockey and Taylor Muff represented UNC on the All-Tournament team. Lockey recorded 39 kills and had a .262 hitting percentage. She also averaged 3.50 digs per set, with two double-doubles against Pacific and Alabama State. Muff tallied 34 kills with a .247 attack percentage and had five service aces.

San Jose State's Fernanda Vido was the tournament MVP and one of three Spartans to earn All-Tournament honors. Caitlin Bettenay and Luiza Andrade also placed on the team. Kaitlyn Lines and Riley Patterson earned spots from Pacific.

Game Notes

Kortney Lockey fell just short of her 1000 career kill and is now two away from the mark. Lockey can be the 18^th member of the 1000 kill club in Northern Colorado program history. Lockey also recorded her second straight double-double, with 11 digs to go along with the 16 kills today.
The Bears had a good day at the service line, with nine aces to only four errors. Taylor Muff led the team with four and Kayla Uyemura scored three.
Taylor Els posted her 33 consecutive match with double-digit digs against ASU, with 11 on Saturday.

Up Next
Northern Colorado will head back on the road this weekend for Fairfax, Virginia to play three matches. UNC will face Radford and George Mason on Friday, September 14^th at 1 PM(MT) and 5:30 PM respectively. The Bears finish the road trip against Norfolk State on Saturday, September 15^th at 12:30 PM.