University of Northern Colorado Athletics
University of Northern Colorado
2-0,0-0Big Sky
Colorado State
0-2,0-0Mountain West
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado St. | 25 | 23 | 29 | 19 | 13 | 2 |
| Northern Colo. | 11 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
For first time since 1982, UNC Volleyball takes down Colorado State
8/31/2021 9:51:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
GREELEY, Colo. – Another game, another historic win for Northern Colorado Volleyball.
For the second time in as many matches, the Bears thrilled the home fans with a five-set win. UNC's 3-2 (11-25, 25-23, 27-29, 25-19, 15-13) victory over Colorado State is the first for head coach Lyndsey Oates and the first for the program since 1982.
The Rams did most of the heavy-hitting in the opening set. Swinging a .357 attack percentage, combined with four blocks, CSU ran to a quick 25-11 set win.
A change of personnel and a change of mindset was just what the doctor ordered in set No. 2.
Daisy Schultz and Syd Cole took turns orchestrating the offense. Combined with a better approach from the service line the Bears tied up the match, 1-1.
After slamming home five kills in the second set, junior Makenzie Harris never strayed off the beaten path for the rest of the night. The Eaton, Colorado native tallied a career-high in both kills (14) and digs (10) to post her first double-double for the Blue and Gold.
Though the visitors outlasted the Bears, 29-27, in the third, UNC overpowered the rams in the fourth. Holding CSU to -.094 hitting, middle blockers Lauren Strain and Cece Huhn wreaked havoc.
Both Strain and Huhn collected 12 kills (both career highs) apiece out of the middle.
Just like against Northwestern, Northern Colorado came into the fifth set with something to prove.
A quick 5-2 set the tone, giving the 1,400-plus fans inside the Bank of Colorado Arena reason to believe the upset was within sight.
Harris, Huhn and Kailey Jo Ince combined for 10 kills in the final frame as the Bears hit a match-best .308. Timely blocks up and down the line put the pressure squarely on Colorado States shoulders.
UNC wouldn't need extra points as they did against the Wildcats. An errant attack solidified Northern Colorado's historic win, 3-2.
What They Said
Game Notes
- The Bears defeated CSU for just the seventh time in program history and the first time since 1982.
- Lauren Strain, Makenzie Harris, Cece Huhn and Kailey Jo Ince all finished with double-figure kill totals.
- Makenzie Harris posted her first double-double, grabbing career highs in both kills (14) and digs (10).
- Lauren Strain also secured a career-high in kills with 12.
- Cece Huhn's 12 kills were also a career-high.
- Kyndall Feather (16 digs) commanded a back row that saw two other players (Laura Katarzynski and Makenzie Harris) reach double-figure dig totals.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado heads to the Denver Invitational where they'll begin with the Pioneers on Thursday, September 2.
To stay up to date on all things UNC volleyball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
