Placide Dominant in Bears Victory over Weber State

Thursday, October 19

Ogden, Utah

6 p.m

University of Northern Colorado

10-8,5-2Big Sky

Weber State

13-6,6-2Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Weber St.

10/19/2023 9:12:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Final Match Book (PDF)Updated Stats - BSC Only Updated Season Stats

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

OGDEN, Utah – A dominant performance from freshman Gabi Placide and Makenzie Harris' 1,000th-career kill highlighted Northern Colorado's 3-1 (19-25, 25-15, 25-18, 26-24) victory over Weber State at Swenson Gym Thursday.

The Bears rallied from a 1-0 deficit, winning the next three sets and moving into third in the Big Sky Conference standings.

Harris registered the 1,000th kill in her career just 13 points into the opening frame.

After allowing the Wildcats (13-6, 6-2) to hit .370 and convert 14 of their 20 sideout chances in the first game, UNC cranked up the defense. The Bears held the home side to .043 while producing at a 24% clip over the final three frames.

Following a 5-0 run by Weber State trimmed UNC's game two advantage to 13-12, the Bears held a 63-45 edge over the final two and a half sets, including a 12-3 spurt to knot things at 1-1.

Placide's kill at 3-3 nudged the Bears ahead for good in game three, building their largest gap in the stanza at 15-7.

The fourth game featured 10 ties and 10 lead changes. Even at 17-all, Weber State ran off four straight, before the Bears answered with six in succession and moved in front 23-21. A 3-0 response pushed the Wildcats to the brink of forcing a fifth set. A 3-0 run by Brynn Reines iced the match for the visitors. Reines delivered her 11th-kill of the contest, before dropping in back-to-back aces.

FROM THE COACH
"That was a good match for us," head coach Lyndsey Oates said. "We showed great resilience. We were not playing with a good rhythm on offense but we found a way to outlast them and found our way with our defense. I thought we served very aggressively and it paid off for us, especially down the stretch. I liked how we stayed composed. We have a quick turnaround as we head to Idaho State and will face different challenges."

UNC STARTERS: Annette Baker, Isabel Bennett, Syd Cole, Makenzie Harris, Cece Huhn, Brynn Reines and libero, Michaela Boon

UNC LEADERS:
UNC Kills Leader: Makenzie Harris (14)
UNC Assists Leader: Syd Cole (43)
UNC Digs Leader: Michaela Boon (16)
UNC Blocks Leader: Isabel Bennett (4)
UNC Ace Leader: Michaela Boon and Makenzie Harris (3)

TEAM RECORDS SERIES NOTES:

UNC improved to 10-8, including 5-2 in Big Sky play, while the Wildcats dropped to 13-6, 6-2.
The Bears lead the all-time series 28-14, including 13-5 in Ogden, Utah.
- With the win, UNC extended its winning streak to four.

TEAM NOTES

UNC outhit the Wildcats .237-.116.
The Bears tallied seven blocks, with Weber State rejecting 15.
UNC recorded 11 aces, while the Wildcats tallied six.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Placide hit .588, converting 11 of 17 swings, with one error.
Harris totaled 14 kills, 13 digs, three service aces and a pair of assists.
- She tallied her sixth double-double of the season and number 21 in her career.
Cole notched 43 assists, five digs, two kills, two blocks and two aces.
Reines chipped in with 11 kills, two blocks and two aces.
Huhn added eight kills and blocks.
Bennet tallied five kills and four blocks.

UP NEXT
The Bears wrap up the three-match road swing at 7 p.m. in Pocatello, Idaho, against Idaho State Friday.

NEXT HOME MATCH
The Bears return to the Bank of Colorado Arena Thursday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. against Sacramento State.

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.