University of Northern Colorado Athletics
University of Northern Colorado
Montana State
Defending Big Sky Volleyball Champions kick off season Sunday
1/23/2021 9:57:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
GREELEY, Colo. – Following one of its most successful seasons in program history, the defending Big Sky Champion Northern Colorado Volleyball program sets sail on the 2021 Spring campaign on Sunday and Monday against Montana State.
Who: Northern Colorado (0-0, 0-0) vs. Montana State (0-0, 0-0)
When: January 24 & 25 | 2 & 6 p.m. MT
Where: Bank of Colorado Arena
How To Follow: PlutoTV Ch. 1059 | Live Stats | UNCBearsVB
Quick Sets
Northern Colorado is coming off its fifth Big Sky Tournament win and NCAA appearance in program history. The Bears also won the Conference Tournament in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Unanimously, UNC was voted as preseason favorites in the Big Sky, picking up the maximum 10 votes that a single team can receive.
UNC welcomes three new faces to the squad for the 2021 Spring Season. Colorado All-State honorees Syd Cole and Lauren Strain AAU All-American Bronwyn Timperley will all suit up in the Blue and Gold this year.
In addition to the newcomers, head coach Lindsey Oates welcomes back a slew of talented players, including reigning Big Sky MVP Daisy Schultz, Tournament MVP Kailey Jo Ince, Big Sky First-Team Member Taylor Muff and Second-Team Member Lauren Hinrichs. Oates also took home Big Sky Coach of the Year honors last season.
Senior setter Daisy Schultz enters this year 1,470 assists shy of the Division I program record held by Marissa Hughes.
Prior to its loss to Hawaii in the NCAA Tournament, Northern Colorado had won 12 straight matches. The Bears have won nine consecutive regular-season matches dating back to October 26, 2019.
Last Time Out
It's been 415 days since the Bears last rolled out the volleyballs in competition. UNC's 2019 campaign came to end in Hawaii during the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Northern Colorado forced four grueling sets on the Rainbow Wahine and nearly missed out on a decisive fifth set.
Scouting Montana State
Following a 15-14 season with a 10-8 mark in the Big Sky, head coach Daniel Jones has his squad trending in the right direction. The Bobcats were picked fourth in the conference preseason poll after posting the most conference wins since 2004 and its first tournament win since 2005.
Jones and MSU return 12 players from a season ago, including 11 letterwinners as well as Big Sky First-Team Member Hannah Scott.
History Against the Bobcats
Northern Colorado has enjoyed a large amount of success against the Bobcats. Since its first meeting in 1981, the Bears are 28-3 all-time against Montana State.
Looking Ahead
After the Bears' matchups against Montana State, UNC will hit the road for two games versus Eastern Washington. Those matches are slated for 3 p.m. MT on both Sunday and Monday.
To stay up to date on all things UNC volleyball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
