Bears host Wildcats, Bengals this Week

Thursday, November 7

Greeley, Colo.

7 PM

University of Northern Colorado

Weber State

Photo by: Woody Myers

11/5/2019 2:50:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Northern Colorado will look to move closer to clinching the Big Sky Title with two matches

By: Matthew Kushar, UNCBears.com

The conference leading Northern Colorado volleyball team is back at Bank of Colorado Arena this weekend, looking to move closer to clinching the Big Sky regular season title. The Bears punched their ticket to the Big Sky Tournament last week.

UNC swept the Montana schools for the second time this season, improving its conference record to 11-1. On Thursday night, the Bears battled a tough Montana State team, coming back from a 2-1 set deficit to win in five. The next night, UNC defeated Montana, 3-1.

The Bears' offense continues to roll, with Daisy Schultz playing a key part in the team's production. Schultz tallied 105 assists in the two wins, scoring 59 against the Bobcats and 46 against the Grizzlies. The junior also played a key part of the Bears' back row defense, averaging 4.11 digs per set. Schultz set a career-mark against Montana St., with 24 digs.

For her performances Schultz was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week, the first in her career. Schultz is currently second in the conference with 10.85 assists per set. Schultz now has 2911 career assists, ranking eighth all-time in program history and fourth in division I era.

Taylor Muff posted a career high in kills against the Bobcats with 21, also finishing with 15 digs. Muff is averaging 3.01 kills per set and 2.41 digs per set. The junior hitter has eight double-doubles this season and ranks seventh in the conference with 3.60 points per set.

Taylor Els passed 1600 career digs for her career and now sits at 5^th all time for UNC. Els averaged 5.00 digs per set, recording 45 total. Els is fourth in the Big Sky with 4.52 digs per set.

Laura Katarzynski sits atop the conference leader board in service aces with 0.41 per set and 33 total. Kyndall Feather is third with 0.39 per set and 36 total.

Kailey Jo Ince scored 34 kills in the Bears two wins, getting 19 against Montana St. and 15 against Montana. Ince continues to be a central part of the Bears offense, leading the team and ranking fourth in the conference with 3.54 kills per set.

Northern Colorado will take on Weber State and Idaho State for the second time this season, after facing both on the road.

The Bears swept Weber St. in Ogden behind a 17 kills performance from Ince and team hitting percentage of .349. The Wildcats are tied for second in the Big Sky with an 8-4 record and 17-6 overall.

UNC defeated Idaho State in early October in four sets, with the team scoring 10 service aces against the Bengals, Muff, Els, Feather and Katarzynski each had two in the win. The Bengals are ninth in the conference with a 3-9 record and 6-18 overall.

Following the Bears
Northern Colorado will host Weber State on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.(MT). UNC will take on Idaho State on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.

Both matches can be streamed live on PlutoTV(Ch. 541) and live stats are available through UNCBears.com.

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