Cole Passes Milestone in Bears Win

Thursday, October 5

Greeley, Colo.

6 p.m

University of Northern Colorado

8-7,3-1Big Sky

Montana

6-10,2-2Big Sky

Montana

Northern Colo.

10/5/2023 10:47:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Match Highlights Postmatch Presser Updated Season Stats Updated Big Sky Only Stats

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Syd Cole became the 10th Bear in school history to surpass 2,500-career assists in Northern Colorado's four-set (25-16, 25-16, 20-25, 25-19) victory over Montana (8-7, 3-1) at Bank of Colorado Arena Thursday.

Cole dished out 47 assists, fueling a balanced attack, with four Bears (6-10, 2-2) finishing with double-digit kills and another adding nine. It is the second-consecutive match with 47 assists for Cole, raising her career mark to 2,528.

Makenzie Harris paced Northern Colorado with 18 kills, while Brynn Reines added a dozen. Cece Huhn and Gabi Placide tallied 11 each.

UNC STARTERS: Isabel Bennett, Cole, Harris, Huhn, Bella LePore, Placide and libero, Michaela Boon

HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: A 4-0 run by UNC opened a five-point gap at 12-7, forcing a Grizzlies timeout. Following a 9-5 advantage by Montana trimmed the deficit to 18-16, the Bears called for a stoppage. They responded with seven kills in succession to grab a 1-0 advantage. UNC hit .531 in the game, holding the Grizzlies to .250.

Set 2: Fueled by a 15-6 spurt, the Bears carried a commanding 2-0 advantage into intermission. Knotted at 10-10, Harris kills bookended a 5-2 edge to lead by three at the media timeout. A pair of miscues by the visitors and three successful swings from Huhn pushed the gap to 20-13. Reines added the final four points for the Bears. UNC outhit the Grizzlies .310-.192 in the game.

Set 3: Montana moved in front for good at 5-4 and built its largest lead of the match at eight. Trailing at 17-9, the Bears slashed the deficit to 17-14 but the Grizzlies held off the rally. Montana hit .521, while holding the Bears to .250 – their lowest of the contest.

Set 4: UNC led wire-to-wire, opening a seven-point advantage at 16-9. The Grizzlies closed to 20-17, before the Bears pulled away. Bennett slammed home the final two kills for the home side.

UNC LEADERS:
UNC Kills Leader: Makenzie Harris (18)
UNC Assists Leader: Syd Cole (47)
UNC Digs Leader: Brynn Reines (9)
UNC Blocks Leader: Isabel Bennett (4)
UNC Ace Leader: Makenzie Harris and Brynn Reines (2)

TEAM RECORDS SERIES NOTES:

UNC moved to 8-7, including 2-1 in Big Sky play, while the Grizzlies fell to 6-10, 2-2.
The Bears extended their winning streak in the series to 17, dating back to Oct. 4, 2014.

TEAM NOTES

UNC improved to 6-4 at Bank of Colorado Arena, including 3-0 against Big Sky opponents.
The Bears outhit Montana .360 to .303.
- Registered a season-high hitting percentage.
UNC tallied seven blocks, while the Grizzlies netted 11.
The Bears dropped in five service aces while allowing two.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Harris totaled 18 kills, six digs, three blocks and a pair of aces from the service line.
- She reached double-digit kills in a match for the tenth time this season.
Reines tallied 12 kills, nine digs and two service aces.
- She notched double-digit kills four times in 2023.
Huhn recorded her fourth contest with at least 10 kills, finishing with 11 and adding four digs and two blocks.
Placide registered 11 kills, the third double-digit performance of her rookie campaign.
Boon accrued seven digs and two assists, while LePore added six and one, respectively.

UP NEXT
The Bears close out the homestand at 6 p.m. Saturday against Montana 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.