Bears win nailbiter in Bozeman

Thursday, October 13

Bozeman, Mont.

7 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

9-8,3-3Big Sky

Montana State

6-12,2-4Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Montana St.

10/13/2022 9:54:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: By Jason Dormeyer

UNC Athletics · VB Postgame vs. Montana State: Lyndsey Oates

BOZEMAN, Mont.—Boosted by a career night from freshman Maddie Davies, Northern Colorado edged Montana State, 3-2 (19-25, 25-16, 25-19, 20-25, 15-12), in Big Sky volleyball action on Thursday night.

Sharing the team lead with 13 kills, Davies not only more than doubled her previous season high of six kills, but did so in uber-efficient manner with just 16 swings and a .750 hitting percentage.

Makenzie Harris and Kailey Jo Ince gave Northern Colorado (9-8, 3-3 Big Sky) a trio of players with double-digit kill numbers. Adding 12 digs, Ince recorded her seventh 'double-double' of the season.

The Bears return to the court on Saturday when they travel to face the Grizzlies of the University of Montana. Opening serve in Missoula is set for 7 p.m. (MT)

Set 1: Montana State 25, Northern Colorado 19
Tied 12-12, the Bobcats pulled away in the middle stretch of the set on the strength of a .455 hit rate on the opener.

Set 2: Northern Colorado 25, Montana State 16
UNC's defense stepped up in the second by limiting the home side to a .026 attacking percentage. On offense, the Bears received multiple kills from Rachel Hickman, Kailey Jo Ince, and Cece Huhn while adding aces from Syd Cole and Mia Liddiard.

Set 3: Northern Colorado 25, Montana State 19
With early terminations from Makenzie Harris, UNC gained the early edge. A Michaela Boon ace extended the UNC lead to 15-8, but the Bobcats rallied with a 9-2 run to even the set. The Bears, however, closed the door on the comeback attempt with Harris returning to form for three of the team's final four points.

Set 4: Montana State 25, Northern Colorado 20
With no room for error, Montana State forced a fifth set by holding the Bears to a match-low .147 hit rate. The set was tied at 13-13 before a 6-1 spree gave the Bobcats enough breathing room to even the match.

Set 5: Northern Colorado 15, Montana State 12
Limiting themselves to just two attacking errors, UNC hit .412 in the finale. The Bears gained a 6-3 lead on a Hickman and Huhn block to force a MSU timeout. A Maddie Davies kill gave UNC match point at 14-11 before Ince connected on the match-winning swing.