UNC Rolls Past Idaho

Friday, November 10

Moscow, Idaho

5 p.m. (MT))

University of Northern Colorado

14-10,9-4Big Sky

Idaho

1-25,0-14Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Idaho

11/10/2023 10:12:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

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By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

MOSCOW, Idaho – An efficient offensive performance coupled with a stout defense pushed Northern Colorado past Idaho in three sets at Memorial Gym Friday.

The Bears held the Vandals to the fifth-lowest hitting percentage of the season by an opponent, aided by 10.5 blocks. Offensively, they hit .297, the sixth best attack for UNC.

Even at 4-4 in the opening set, Gabi Placide slammed home a winner, sparking a 15-9 run and pushing the Bears to their largest cushion in the game. They withstood a spurt by the Vandals when Brynn Reines cashed in the game winner at 24-21.

The Bears reached 20 first in the second game, outscoring the host 10-5 to build a five-point cushion. Isabel Bennet extinguished a 5-1 run by Idaho, moving UNC within three points of a 2-0 lead at 22-20. A pair of service errors from the Bears and three attack miscues by Idaho accounted for the final five points.

UNC recorded its second sweep, while dropping just three games over the last four matches, with a 25-15 result in the third set. A 21-11 rush by the Bears turned a 4-4 draw into a rout. Idaho had no answer for UNC, who outhit the Vandals .321-.000 in the final game.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH
"I liked that we were very efficient offensively," head coach Lyndsey Oates said. "We had too many errors at the service line. It was a unique match in that we had not played Idaho yet this late in the season. It is a sweep for the Bears and we can now move on to Eastern Washington."

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

UNC LEADERS:
UNC Kills Leader: Isabel Bennett and Makenzie Harris (11)
UNC Assists Leader: Syd Cole (37)
UNC Digs Leader: Michaela Boon (13)
UNC Blocks Leader: Cece Huhn (5)
UNC Ace Leader: Michaela Boon (3)

TEAM RECORDS SERIES NOTES:

UNC improved to 14-10, including 9-4 in Big Sky play, while the Vandals dropped to 1-25, 0-14.
- The Bears extended their winning streak to four, the longest of the year.
UNC is 15-7 in the all-time series against the Vandals, including 9-1 in the last 10 meetings.
This is the lone match between the two squads this season.
The Bears own a nine-match winning streak over Idaho, including five-straight in Moscow.
Idaho last defeated UNC Nov. 23, 2018, in the semifinals of the Big Sky tournament – hosted by UNC.

TEAM NOTES

UNC outhit the Vandals .297 (44-14-101) -.091 (27-18-99).
- The Bears held their opponent under .100 for the fifth time this season.
The Bears tallied 10.5 blocks, while allowing six.
UNC recorded six aces at the service line and surrendered four.
The teams combined for seven ties and just three lead changes.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Harris hit .281, converting 11 of her 32 swings, with eight digs and four blocks.
Bennett finished with 10 kills on 17 swings, hitting .412, with a pair of blocks.
Boon totaled 13 digs, three service aces and a pair of assists.
Cole dished out 37 assists, with seven digs and two blocks.
Reines tallied nine kills and six digs.
Huhn paced the squad with five blocks, adding eight kills, four digs and an ace.
Placide netted four kills and four blocks, with three digs and an ace.
Maddie Davies totaled two kills and two blocks in one set.

UP NEXT
UNC concludes the road trip Saturday, Nov. 11, at 3 p.m., in Cheney, Wash., against Eastern Washington.

NEXT HOME MATCH
The Bears return to the 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.