Solid serving, defensive rhythm lead to sweep over Eastern Washington

Saturday, October 16

Greeley, Colo.

2 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

15-4,7-1Big Sky

Eastern Washingto

7-9,3-5Big Sky

Eastern Wash.

Northern Colo.

10/16/2021 4:17:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo. – Everything was in rhythm for Northern Colorado on Saturday afternoon against Eastern Washington.

A nearly-perfect defensive effort combined with a well-balanced offense and dynamite serving led to UNC's sweep over the Eagles, 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-20).

Midway through the opening set, EWU was hanging around, hitting north of .300.

After the media timeout, though, UNC clamped down on the Eagles.

Rachel Hickman and Kailey Jo Ince combined for eight kills, while Kyndall Feather led the way defensively with five. The Bears' front row also came up with three timely blocks to give Northern Colorado the opening set in front of the home crowd at Bank of Colorado Arena.

After an incredibly impressive .433 hitting percentage in the opening frame, Northern Colorado came back with a slightly cooler .250 in the second.

Hickman continued her thundering performance, claiming three more kills. In fact, the junior from Lawrence, Kansas finished with 11 kills on a team-high .364 hitting.

Her fellow outside hitter Kailey Jo Ince tallied a match-high 13 kills on .308 hitting.

While Northern Colorado didn't secure an ace in the first set, their aggressive serving style paid dividends in the second. Four aces, including two from Michaela Boon, who just set a new season-high on Tuesday against Idaho.

With its servers keeping Eastern Washington out of system, UNC's defense flexed its muscles through the first two stanzas.

The Bear held the Eagles to .083 hitting the first, Northern Colorado somehow improved upon its effort, holding EWU to an even .000 in the second.

In combination with the block, the Bears' defense stifled Eastern Washington further in the third.

For the second consecutive set, UNC held EWU to a flat .000 hitting. Kyndall Feather led the way in the back row with 16 digs while Daisy Schultz's 10 secured her third double-double of the season.

Schultz also racked up 39 assists on the afternoon, the most in a three-set match the senior has posted this season.

Ince's team-leading six kills in the final set were the final nails in the coffin for Eastern Washington as the Bears grabbed its third win in a row and remained undefeated at home in Big Sky play.

What They Said
Daisy Schultz, Kyndall Feather and head coach Lyndsey Oates

Game Notes

Daisy Schultz collected her third double-double of the season (39 assists, 10 digs)
Schultz's 39 assists were also the most in a three-set match this season.
EWU's .030 hitting was the lowest total UNC held an opponent to this season.
Both Rachel Hickman and Kailey Jo Ince hit north of .300 and reached double-figures in kills.
Northern Colorado out-blocked its opponent for the fifth time this season. They are now 5-0 when doing so.

What's Ahead
Northern Colorado is on the road for two consecutive weekends for returning to Bank of Colorado Arena on November 5, against Idaho State.

To stay up to date on all things UNC volleyball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.