Preview: at Weber State; at Idaho State

Northern Colorado (9-8, 4-2) at Weber State (13-5, 6-1)
Swenson Gym – Ogden, Utah
Thursday, Oct. 19 | 6 p.m. MT
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Northern Colorado (9-8, 4-2) at Idaho State (4-14, 2-5)
Reed Gym – Pocatello, Idaho
Friday, Oct. 20 | 6 p.m. MT
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SETTING THE SCENE
UNC wraps up its three-match road trip with a pair of contests. The Bears take on Weber State in Ogden, Utah, before facing Idaho State in Pocatello, Idaho Friday. Weber State sits in a three-way tie at the top of the Big Sky Conference Standings, while the Bengals hold onto eighth. Idaho State leads Eastern Washington by a half-game as the teams near the halfway point of the league schedule. The top eight teams qualify for the championship tournament Thanksgiving week in Greeley. UNC trails Montana State, Weber State, and Sacramento State by one and a half games. The Bears enter the week at 4-2, while the top three squads own matching 6-1 marks.

SERIES HISTORY – Weber State

UNC leads the all-time series 27-14, including 6-4 over the last 10 matches.
- In Ogden, the Bears own a 12-5 mark.
UNC enters the first of two contests this season on a three-match winning streak.
The teams combined to win the last four regular-season and tournament titles, with the Bears claiming three each.
- Weber State claimed both the 2020 regular season and tournament championships.

SERIES HISTORY – Idaho State

UNC leads the all-time series 25-14, including 8-2 over the last 10 matches.
- In Pocatello, Idaho, the Bears have a 6-3 mark over the last 10, including four of five.
UNC enters the first of two contests this season on a two-match winning streak.
The Bears dropped the first of three matches against Idaho State last season, before sweeping the next two, including a first-round triumph over the Bengals in the Big Sky Championship.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

The Bears close the season with six of their final 10 matches away from the Bank.
UNC earned its first true road victory in three opportunities this season, defeating Northern Arizona last time out.
- Since 2019, the Bears have won a 31-16 (.660), including 28-7 (.800) in Big Sky Conference play.

CHASING MILESTONES

Makenzie Harris needs one kill to reach 1,000 in her career, becoming the 21st Bear in program history and the ninth in the DI era to reach the milestone.
- She is the first to reach 1,000 career kills since Kendra Cunningham (2012-15).
- Harris needs 30 digs to reach 600 in her career.
Cece Huhn needs 14 solo blocks to match Alex Kloehn with the most in the DI era, with 82.
- With three more, Huhn moves into 10^th all-time in program history with 71 solo blocks.
- Her 273 block assists rank sixth in the DI era, 15 away from cracking the top five.
- She moves to 10^th on the all-time program list with nine block assists.
- Her 341 total blocks place her fourth in the D1 era and seventh in program history.
Michaela Boon needs 73 digs for 900 and five aces for 100 in her career.

LAST TIME OUT

Northern Colorado retained the Blue and Gold Battle Trophy with a sweep of Northern Arizona at the Rolle Activity Center Saturday, Oct. 14.
Makenzie Harris totaled 13 kills, 10 digs and an ace.
- She tallied her fifth double-double of the season and number 20 in her career.
Syd Cole notched 38 assists, six kills, four digs, one block and an ace.
Cece Huhn added 11 kills and four blocks.
Isabel Bennet chipped in with eight kills and four blocks.
Maddie Davies recorded three blocks and three kills.
Brynn Reines notched five kills, five digs and three blocks.

FAN SUPPORT

In the first three matches, Northern Colorado averaged 2,211 fans.
Opening night against No. 3 Stanford produced the largest crowd in program history, with 2,801 fans in attendance Aug. 25.
The next night, 1,941 witnessed the Bears battle No. 10 Kentucky for four sets.
Against Colorado State on Aug. 29., 1,890 fans watched Northern Colorado rally from a 2-1 deficit to defeat the Rams.

OPENING WEEKEND

The largest crowd in program history was on hand for the season opener against No. 3 Stanford, with 2,801 in attendance.
Brynn Reines led the team with 15 kills.
Makenzie Harris tallied the most points (18) and service aces (3).
Syd Cole directed the offense with 65 assists.
Cece Huhn, Gabi Placide and Isabel Bennett tallied 4.0 blocks each.
- Placide registered five kills on 14 swings, with a block solo and a block assist in her collegiate debut.
Bella LePore tallied three digs in her first college match.

CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE

Since moving to DI before the 2006 campaign, Northern Colorado made 14 Big Sky Tournament appearances.
The Bears have the best winning percentage in tournament play at .687 (22-10), with seven championships, the most by any league member over the last 17 seasons. They collected six regular-season titles over that span.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Syd Cole garnered All-American honors after the 2022 season, finishing with 1,325 assists, 271 digs, 78 kills, 50.0 blocks and 29 service aces over 120 sets.
In addition, she earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Region selection, the Big Sky Player of the Year, All-Big Sky First Team, All-Big Sky Tournament Team and Big Sky All-Academic selections.

THE ROSTER

Freshmen Bella LePore, Gabi Placide and Alayna Tessena join 14 returners from the 2022 Big Sky Championship squad.

TICKETS
To purchase tickets, visit uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849. Tickets can also be purchased at the Campus Commons Ticket Office, Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Isabel Bennett

Michaela Boon

Syd Cole

Maddie Davies

Makenzie Harris

Cece Huhn

Bella LePore

Gabi Placide

Brynn Reines

Alayna Tessena

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