Volleyball Preview: Montana & Montana State

Montana (6-9, 2-1 Big Sky) at Northern Colorado (7-7, 2-1 Big Sky)
Bank of Colorado Arena – Greeley, Colo.
Thursday, Oct. 5 | 6 p.m.
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Montana State (9-4, 2-1 Big Sky) at Northern Colorado (7-7, 2-1 Big Sky)
Bank of Colorado Arena – Greeley, Colo.
Thursday, Oct. 5 | 6 p.m.
ESPN+ | Live Stats
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
UNC Mobile App on Apple | Google Play

SETTING THE SCENE
The third week of Big Sky Conference play features a pair of matches for the University of Northern Colorado at Bank of Colorado Arena. The Bears host Montana Thursday, before concluding their homestand against Montana State Saturday. First serve for both matches is set for 6 p.m. All three teams sit in a four-way tie with Portland State for third in the league standings. Weber State holds second at 3-1, while Sacramento State is the lone squad without a loss, at 3-0.

PROMOTIONS/SPONSORS SCHEDULE
Thursday's match is the annual Power in Pink match for breast cancer awareness – sponsored by Banner Health.
The volleyball team is selling Power in Pink tee shirts, with the proceeds donated to the Breast Health Fund.

SERIES HISTORY – Montana

UNC leads the all-time series 25-9, including 13-2 on its home court.
The Bears own a 16-match winning streak over the Grizzlies, dating back to Oct. 4, 2014.
Northern Colorado won the last seven matches in Greeley, with its last loss Oct. 26, 2013.
The Bears claimed a three-set victory in Missoula last season, the lone clash between the two sides.

SERIES HISTORY – Montana State

UNC leads the all-time series 32-5, including 23-2 over the last 25 meetings.
Both losses in the last 25 meetings were on the Bears home court, including a four-set setback in 2022.
UNC returned the favor with a 3-2 result in Bozeman Oct. 13, 2022.

HOME COOKING

The Bears have a 46-13 (.780) record at home over the last five seasons.
In Big Sky play, they went 29-4 (.879) between 2019-22, propelling the Bears to three regular-season titles during the stretch.
UNC is 2-0 in Big Sky action at Bank of Colorado Arena in 2023.

CHASING MILESTONES

Makenzie Harris needs 51 kills to reach 1,000 in her career.
- She would be the 21st in program history with 1,000 kills and eighth in the 25-point rally era, which began in 2008.
Syd Cole needs 19 assists to reach 2,500 in her career.
- Only nine Bears reached the milestone in school history and just two in the current scoring system.
Cece Huhn needs four blocks to reach 329, moving into 10th-place on the program's all-time list.
- She is 24 block assists to reach 284 and six solo blocks to total 71 in her career, moving into 10th on the all-time list in both categories.
Michaela Boon needs 11 digs to reach 800 in her career.

LAST TIME OUT

In the first-ever match with the Blue and Gold Battle Trophy at stake, the University of Northern Colorado outlasted Northern Arizona at Bank of Colorado Saturday.
Created before this season, the Bears claimed the trophy with a five-set victory, earning the right to take possession of the prize until the teams meet again Oct. 14, in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Makenzie Harris totaled 20 kills, nine digs, two blocks and a pair of aces from the service line.
- She reached double-digit kills in a match nine times this season.
Isabel Bennett hit .417 (12-2-24), with six blocks.
- The 12 kills established a new career high.
Syd Cole recorded 47 assists, nine digs and three kills.
- With the 47 helpers, she upped her career total to 2,481.
Brynn Reines finished with seven kills, six digs and three aces.
Annette Baker, Cece Huhn and Maddie Davies accrued five kills each, while Gabi Placide accounted for four.

SCOUTING THE GRIZZLIES

Montana improved to 2-1 in Big Sky play with a 3-0 victory over rival Montana State Friday, Sep. 29.
The Grizzlies are 6-0 in their last six sets, sweeping Eastern Washington Sept. 20.
Paige Clark (184), Madi Chuhlantseff (116) and Catie Semadeni (103) account for nearly 60% of the offense, totaling 403 of the team's 690 kills.
Carly Anderson directs the offense with 536 assists, averaging 9.4 per set.
Ellie Scherffius patrols the net, blocking 61 attacks by the opposition.
Alexis Batezel anchors the back line, with 233 digs.

SCOUTING THE BOBCATS

Montana State fell to 2-1 in Big Sky play after a sweep by rival Montana Friday, Sep. 29.
The Bobcats swept Idaho and Idaho State to open league play.
Kira Thomsen (188), Jourdain Kamps (134) and Madilyn Siebler (121) lead the offense with 443 of the 633 kills – 70% of the offense.
Nellie Stevenson directs the offense with 359 assists.
Laruen Lindseth secures the back line with 188 digs.
Kamps paces the defense with 45 blocks, with three other Bobcats tallying at least 27.

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 Division I 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 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

Annette Baker

Isabel Bennett

Michaela Boon

Syd Cole

Maddie Davies

Makenzie Harris

Cece Huhn

Bella LePore

Gabi Placide

Brynn Reines

Alayna Tessena

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