Bears Travel to NAU Before Returning Home Against Thunderbirds

Thursday, October 24

Flaggstaff, Ariz.

7:30 PM

University of Northern Colorado

Northern Arizona

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Photo by: Woody Myers

10/22/2019 4:01:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Northern Colorado carry undefeated conference record into the weekend

By: Matthew Kushar, UNCBears.com

Northern Colorado volleyball will look to continue its historic start in the Big Sky with two games this weekend. The 2019 UNC squad has the best conference start in program history with an 8-0 record. UNC sits on top of the Big Sky standings with Idaho trailing by two matches with a 6-2 record.

The Bears picked up road wins over Sacramento State and Portland State this past weekend. UNC beat the Hornets on Thursday, 3-1 and then swept the Vikings on Saturday.

UNC used eight service aces and 14 team blocks to beat the Hornets. The Bears defeated Portland State with a dominating performance, finishing with a .326 attack percentage and holding the Vikings to .108.

Lauren Hinrichs ranks sixth in the conference with a .302 attack percentage and is averaging 2.31 kills per set.

In the conference, UNC ranks second in opponent hitting percentage, allowing a .183 figure. The Bears top the Big Sky in kills (13.08), opponent kills (10.79), assists (12.21) and aces (1.71).

Kailey Jo Ince is third in the Big Sky with 3.66 kills per set, scoring 282 total and holding a .274 attack percentage.

Daisy Schultz is tied for the conference lead with 10.73 assists per set, with 837 total.

At the service line, Laura Katarzynski and Kyndall Feather are one-two in the Big Sky for aces. Katarzynski recorded three aces against Portland State, including back-to-back, giving her 0.44 aces per set and 29 total. Feather has 33 total with 0.42 aces per set figure.

UNC can keep their win streak going with both a road match at Northern Arizona before returning home Saturday to host Southern Utah.

Scouting the Lumberjacks
Northern Arizona enters the matchup with a 5-4 record and are fifth in the Big Sky, with a 12-9 overall record this season. The Lumberjacks are coming off two road wins, defeating Eastern Washington(3-1) and Southern Utah(3-1). Senior middle blocker Abby Akin leads the conference with a .415 hitting percentage and is second in the conference with 1.25 blocks per set. Junior opposite hitter Heaven Harris leads the team and is seventh in the Big Sky with 3.10 kills per set.

Scouting the Thunderbirds
Southern Utah is 4-5 in the Big Sky with an 11-10 overall record. This past weekend, the Thunderbirds fell 3-1 to Idaho on the road and Northern Arizona at home. Senior outside hitter Shannon Webb ranks second in the conference with 3.80 kills per set, while hitting .239. Senior outside hitter Thea Leiataua ranks 10th in the Big Sky with 3.42 digs per set.

Following the Bears
Northern Colorado will play Northern Arizona on Thursday, October 24th at 7 pm (MT). UNC will then return home to host Southern Utah at Bank of Colorado Arena on Saturday, October 26th at 2 pm.

Both games will be streamed live on PlutoTV and live stats will be provided by NAUAthletics.com for the road game and UNCBears.com for the home game.

Tickets for Saturday's 2 pm home match with SUU can be purchased online at UNCBears.com/tickets or at the Bank of Colorado ticket office starting one hour prior to first serve.
ets. The Bears defeated Portland State with a dominating performance, finishing with a .326 attack percentage and holding the Vikings to 108.

Lauren Hinrichs ranks sixth in the conference with a .302 attack percentage and is averaging 2.31 kills per set.

In the conference, UNC ranks second in opponent hitting percentage, allowing a .183 figure. The Bears top the Big Sky in kills (13.08), opponent kills (10.79), assists (12.21) and aces (1.71).

Kailey Jo Ince is third in the Big Sky with 3.66 kills per set, scoring 282 total and holding a .274 attack percentage.

Daisy Schultz is tied for the conference lead with 10.73 assists per set, with 837 total.

At the service line, Laura Katarzynski and Kyndall Feather are one-two in the Big Sky for aces. Katarzynski recorded three aces against Portland State, including back-to-back, giving her 0.44 aces per set and 29 total. Feather has 33 total with 0.42 aces per set figure.

UNC can keep their win streak going with both a road and home game this weekend.

Scouting the Lumberjacks
Northern Arizona enters the matchup with a 5-4 record and are fifth in the Big Sky, with a 12-9 overall record this season. The Lumberjacks are coming off two road wins, defeating Eastern Washington(3-1) and Southern Utah(3-1). Senior middle blocker Abby Akin leads the conference with a .415 hitting percentage and is second in the conference with 1.25 blocks per set. Junior opposite hitter Heaven Harris leads the team and is seventh in the Big Sky with 3.10 kills per set.

Scouting the Thunderbirds
Southern Utah is 4-5 in the Big Sky with an 11-10 overall record. This past weekend, the Thunderbirds fell 3-1 to Idaho on the road and Northern Arizona at home. Senior outside hitter Shannon Webb ranks second in the conference with 3.80 kills per set, while hitting .239. Senior outside hitter Thea Leiataua ranks 10^th in the Big Sky with 3.42 digs per set.

Following the Bears
Northern Colorado will play Northern Arizona on Thursday, October 24^th at 7 pm(MT). UNC will then return home to host Southern Utah at Bank of Colorado Arena on Saturday, October 26^th at 2 pm.

Both games will be streamed live on PlutoTV(Ch. 541) and live stats will be provided by NAUathletics.com for the road game and UNCBears.com for the home game.

Tickets for Saturday's 2 pm home match with SUU can be purchased online at UNCBears.com/tickets or at the Bank of Colorado ticket office starting one hour prior to first serve.