University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Friday, August 27
Greeley, Colo.
6 p.m. MT
University of Northern Colorado
1-0,0-0Big Sky
3
vs
2
Northwestern
0-1,0-0Big Ten
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern | 25 | 24 | 21 | 25 | 16 | 2 |
| Northern Colo. | 19 | 26 | 25 | 19 | 18 | 3 |
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
UNC outlasts Northwestern in five-set thriller to open season
8/27/2021 9:47:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado Volleyball is already off to a historic start to its season. For the sixth time in program history, the Bears knocked off a Power Five program in Northwestern, 3-2 (19-25, 26-24, 25-21, 19-25, 18-16).
A dramatic five-set affair couldn't have been better for the near 1,000 fans in attendance at Bank of Colorado Arena.
The Wildcats raced out to the early lead. Hitting .333 and capitalizing on two aces and six blocks, the visitors took the opening frame, 25-19.
In the second set, the duo of Rachel Hickman and Kailey Jo Ince began to flex its muscles. Much to the delight of the raucous home crowd, the Bears ran out to an early 8-2 lead, forcing a quick Northwestern timeout.
Hickman finished with a team-high 19 kills, while Ince's 14 kills were half of her double-double (10 digs).
Meanwhile, Northern Colorado's service game went into another gear as well. Kyndall Feather, Michaela Boon and Ince all recorded an ace apiece, leading to a 26-24 set win to even the match.
Senior setter Daisy Schultz had the offense looking like a well-oiled machine in the third. Spreading the love around, Ince and Cece Huhn led the way with four kills apiece in the set, while Hickman and junior Makenzie Harris secured three.
After the Wildcats took the fourth set, all eyes turned toward the decisive fifth.
Early on, following a Syd Cole ace, it looked like the Bears had confidence and momentum on its side.
The Wildcats roared back, however, taking the lead 12-11 and ultimately forcing UNC to stave off not one but two match points.
Ultimately, it was two of Northern Colorado's veterans, Huhn and Schultz who mustered a deep block to secure the historic victory.
What They Said
Game Notes
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado plays host one more time before going on the road, welcoming in-state rival Colorado State to the Bank of Colorado Arena on Tuesday, August 31 at 6 p.m. MT.
To stay up to date on all things UNC volleyball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
A dramatic five-set affair couldn't have been better for the near 1,000 fans in attendance at Bank of Colorado Arena.
The Wildcats raced out to the early lead. Hitting .333 and capitalizing on two aces and six blocks, the visitors took the opening frame, 25-19.
In the second set, the duo of Rachel Hickman and Kailey Jo Ince began to flex its muscles. Much to the delight of the raucous home crowd, the Bears ran out to an early 8-2 lead, forcing a quick Northwestern timeout.
Hickman finished with a team-high 19 kills, while Ince's 14 kills were half of her double-double (10 digs).
Meanwhile, Northern Colorado's service game went into another gear as well. Kyndall Feather, Michaela Boon and Ince all recorded an ace apiece, leading to a 26-24 set win to even the match.
Senior setter Daisy Schultz had the offense looking like a well-oiled machine in the third. Spreading the love around, Ince and Cece Huhn led the way with four kills apiece in the set, while Hickman and junior Makenzie Harris secured three.
After the Wildcats took the fourth set, all eyes turned toward the decisive fifth.
Early on, following a Syd Cole ace, it looked like the Bears had confidence and momentum on its side.
The Wildcats roared back, however, taking the lead 12-11 and ultimately forcing UNC to stave off not one but two match points.
Ultimately, it was two of Northern Colorado's veterans, Huhn and Schultz who mustered a deep block to secure the historic victory.
What They Said
Game Notes
- Kailey Jo Ince (14 kills and 10 digs) and Daisy Schultz (48 assists and 14 digs) each tallied double-doubles on the evening.
- UNC's win is the sixth in program history over a Power Five program.
- Four Bears reach double-figure kill totals. Hickman (19), Makenzie Harris (10), Cece Huhn (11) and Kailey Jo Ince (14) all reached the mark.
- Defensively, three UNC players managed at least 10 digs against the Wildcats with Kyndall Feather leading the way at 15, Daisy Schultz not far behind with 13 and Ince grabbing 10.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado plays host one more time before going on the road, welcoming in-state rival Colorado State to the Bank of Colorado Arena on Tuesday, August 31 at 6 p.m. MT.
To stay up to date on all things UNC volleyball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Team Stats
NU
UNC
Kills
66
58
Errors
24
20
Attempts
154
163
Hitting %
.273
.233
Points
78
73
Assists
58
56
Aces
4
6
Blocks
8
9
Game Leaders
Kills
19
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
14
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
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