Bears Sail Past Portland State

Saturday, October 28

Greeley, Colo.

6 p.m

University of Northern Colorado

11-10,6-4Big Sky

Portland State

13-9,6-5Big Sky

Portland St.

Northern Colo.

10/28/2023 9:53:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Final Match Book Updated Stats Updated Stats - BSC Only Post Match Presser Match Highlights

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

Post Match Presser
Match Highlights

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado sailed past Portland State in straight sets Saturday at Bank of Colorado Arena.

The Bears (6-4) leaped over Portland State (6-5) in the Big Sky Conference standings with just three weeks remaining in the regular season.

Trailing by as many as five in the opening game, UNC rallied and knotted the score at 18-all on an ace from Makenzie Harris and forcing a timeout by the Vikings. Even at 22-22, the Bears capitalized on a pair of attack errors from the visitors nudged them to set point. Following a service error by UNC, Brynn Reines slammed home a kill, grabbing a 1-0 advantage.

Riding the momentum from overcoming a deficit, the Bears secured a commanding edge with a dominant performance in game two. They moved in front at 4-3 and outscored the Vikings 21-8 the rest of the frame.

The final stanza featured runs by both sides. Portland State pulled ahead with a 12-3 spurt, turning an 11-9 deficit into a 20-14 cushion. UNC clicked off nine of the next 12 points, evening the contest at 23-23. Harris handed the Bears a set point with her final kill of the night. After a miscue by UNC knotted the score again, Isabel Bennett slammed home a kill. A miscue by the Vikings on the ensuing rally secured the victory for the Bears.

UNC STARTERS: Isabel Bennett, Syd Cole, Maddie Davies, Makenzie Harris, Gabi Placide, Brynn Reines, and libero, Michaela Boon

UNC LEADERS:
UNC Kills Leader: Makenzie Harris (15)
UNC Assists Leader: Syd Cole (31)
UNC Digs Leader: Michaela Boon (13)
UNC Blocks Leader: Isabel Bennett (3)
UNC Ace Leader: Syd Cole and Makenzie Harris (2)

TEAM RECORDS SERIES NOTES:

UNC improved to 11-10, including 6-4 in Big Sky play, while the Vikings dropped to 13-9, 6-5.
The Bears trail the all-time series 23-21 and split the season series.
UNC owns a 4-1 mark in its last six contests against the Vikings.

TEAM NOTES

The Bears hit .316 and held Portland State to .184.
UNC tallied four blocks, while the Vikings totaled five.
The Bears recorded six aces, while Portland State tallied two.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Harris recorded a double-double, hitting .333 (15-3-36), with 10 digs and two aces.
- She moved into 19th on the Bears all-time kills list with 1,047.
Cole dished out 31 aces, Placide hit .333 (12-5-21), with one block assist.
Bennet notched 13 kills, with four digs and three blocks.
Davies converted 60% of her swings, with six kills on 10 attempts and no errors.
Reines chipped in with eight kills and five assists.

UP NEXT
UNC embarks on a four-match road swing beginning Thursday, Nov. 2 at Montana State in Bozeman, Montana.

NEXT HOME MATCH
The Bears return to the friendly confines of Bank of Colorado Arena Thursday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m. against Idaho 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.