Syd Cole leads balanced offense in sweep over Bobcats

Friday, October 29

Bozeman, Mont.

7 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

16-6,8-3Big Sky

Montana State

11-12,7-5Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Montana St.

10/29/2021 8:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

BOZEMAN, Mont. – A new-look lineup operated like a well-oiled machine as Northern Colorado bounced back with an emphatic road sweep over Montana State, 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-16)

The Bears couldn't have asked for a better start in set No. 1. Popping out to an 8-3 lead, UNC used a combination of aggressive serving and high-percentage hitting to take control of the set.

Lauren Strain, Makenzie Harris, Cece Huhn and Kailey Jo Ince each tallied three kills apiece as Northern Colorado went on to hit .355 in the opening set.

While Montana State tried its best to cut into the deficit, the Bears shut the door as two block assists from Strain helped UNC take the lead, 1-0.

Nine errors for the Bears looked like it might've been one too many for UNC in the second set. However, Lyndsey Oates' crew didn't panic and mounted a thunderous comeback.

Little by little, the likes of Hickman, Ince, Strain and Harris chipped away at the Montana State lead. Down, 17-20, Northern Colorado ran off five straight points, including back-to-back aces from Ince to leapfrog the Bobcats.

Sensing a chance to take an all-important two-set lead, UNC dialed up two more kills from Hickman and one for Strain as the Bears pulled the out the rug on Montana State.

Earning the start at setter, Syd Cole provided a balanced offensive effort all evening long.

The sophomore from Parker, Colorado saved her best for the third, and what turned out to be the final set. UNC hit an even .500 in the final frame as she continued to spread the wealth around.

Makenzie Harris ended the evening with a match-high 13 kills but Rachel Hickman (10), Lauren Strain (9), Kailey Jo Ince (9) and Cece Huhn (7) each added a different element. Individually, they all hit north of .275 for the match.

Along with her assists, Cole also called her own number for a career-best four kills.

Montana State had drawn within one following a 4-0 run but a steady dose of Northern Colorado's prolific offense was too much to handle.

Laura Katarzynski grabbed the start at Libero in another notable lineup change on Friday. The Winfield, Illinois native secured 10 digs while her back-row partner Kyndall Feather grabbed 11 as the Bears' defense held MSU to .149 hitting on the evening.

In the end, it was UNC's ace queen in Katarzynski who drove the final nail in the Bobcats' coffin with one last ace.

What They Said

UNC Athletics · Volleyball post match - Montana State (10/29/21)

Game Notes

Northern Colorado's .327 hitting percentage was the highest this season.
Syd Cole's 40 assists were the most by a UNC setter in a three-set match this season.
UNC's offense showed incredible balance. Harris led all hitters with 13 kills while Rachel Hickman (10), Kailey Jo Ince (9), Lauren Strain (9) and Cece Huhn (7) were close behind.
Laura Katarzysnki added to her program-leading ace total with two more on Friday evening. The senior now has 127 career aces.

What's Ahead
Northern Colorado heads to Missoula for one last road stop with the Griz before coming home to the Bank of Colorado Arena on Friday, 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.