Bears Beat Big-10 Opponent, Rutgers

Friday, August 30

Greeley, Colo.

7 PM

University of Northern Colorado

1-0,0-0Big Sky

Rutgers

0-2,0-0Big Ten

Rutgers

Northern Colo.

8/30/2019 11:59:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Hannah Adler

Greeley, Colo- Bears take down a Big 10 opponent on day one of the Hampton Inn and Suites Northern Colorado Classic, beating Rutgers, 4-1.

It was back and forth to start the first set until the Bears went on a 3-0 run to push their lead to 14-11. The Bears would hold that lead until making a final push to finish the set at 25-19 to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

Juniors Taylor Muff and Jadyn McCartney sparked the Bears in the first set with three kills each.

The Scarlet Knights would respond to start the second set, getting out to a 10-5 lead before the Bears fought back to within two at 9-11. That's as close as they would get though as Rutgers would extend their lead back to five, and eventually, a second set victory, 25-18.

Daisy Schultz, who ended with 44 assists in the match, stayed with the hot hand, feeding Muff often and helping her to five more kills in the second set. Sophomore Maddy Bremer also led the charge with three kills on five total attacks.

The Bears put themselves in a hole early in set three by going down 5-0 to the Scarlet Knights. They wouldn't be down long though as Senior Taylor Els led the comeback with two services aces, pulling the Bears even at 6-6. The two teams would battle closely throughout the third set before the Bears would go on 6-1 run and win the set, 25-20.

The Bears would again look to Muff in the fourth set, going to her 19 total times and she delivered with seven kills. Neither team went ahead by more than three points with the Bears going on a small run to push their lead to 22-19 late in the fourth set. They would have two match points before Rutgers would make a final push, tying it up at 24-24. A timely timeout and kills from Els and KJ Ince would seal the victory for the Bears 26-24.

Muff led all players with 17 kills and McCartney added 11. Els finished the night with 18 digs and three service aces. The Bears will face New Mexico tomorrow at noon in their second game of the tournament.