UNC Overpowers Montana State

Thursday, November 2

Bozeman, Mont.

7 p.m

University of Northern Colorado

12-10,7-4Big Sky

Montana State

14-7,7-4Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Montana St.

11/2/2023 9:58:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

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

By: Michael High, Asisstant Director for Strategic Communications

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Northern Colorado overpowered Montana State 3-1 (22-25, 25-12, 25-17, 25-11) in Big Sky Conference action at Shroyer Gym Thursday.

Behind its best offensive and defensive performance of the season, UNC dealt the Bobcats their first home loss of the season.

The Bears hit a season-high .435 (59-12-108), nearly 100 points higher than the previous best while holding Montana State to .026. UNC forced 26 errors while surrendering only 29 kills in 115 swings.

Makenzie Harris led four Bears in double-digit kills. She notched her eighth double-double of the season, with 17 kills and 14 digs. Brynn Reines inked 14 kills, while Isabel Bennett and Gabi Placide recorded 10 each.

Syd Cole dished out 46 assists, the ninth time in 2023 with at least 40 in a match.

Placide (1-5) and Cece Huhn (2-4) defended the net with six blocks each.

With her six total blocks, Huhn became the sixth in program history to record 350 in her career. She moved into a tie for 10th on the school's all-time solo blocks list, with her two against the Bobcats. Her 25 solo blocks this season trail her mark from last season by one for the third most in the DI era.

Despite hitting .379 (14-3-29) and holding Montana State to .118 (9-5-34) in the first set, UNC trailed 1-0, after committing seven errors at the service line and allowing six aces.

The Bears responded by hitting .542, converting 15 of 24 attacks with just two miscues, adding two aces at the service line. The hosts hit .042 (8-7-24), with two errors in the stanza.

UNC rattled 11 of the final 14 points, including seven straight, turning a 14-14 tie into a 2-1 advantage. Syd Cole dropped in a service ace for the set winner.

The Bears thwarted any thoughts of Montana forcing a fifth and deciding game by leading wire-to-wire in the fourth game.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH
"We were very efficient offensively in that first set, we gave up way too many points at the service line" head coach Lyndsey Oates said. "We gave up 13 points over the match in serve and receive. We were able to dial in our passing but still way too high at the service line. I thought we played efficiently, loose and aggressively in every other aspect of our game. They are a tough team, especially on their home court. It is good to be playing loose and aggressively this late in the season. Now, we must get ready for Montana."

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

UNC LEADERS:
UNC Kills Leader: Makenzie Harris (17)
UNC Assists Leader: Syd Cole (46)
UNC Digs Leader: Makenzie Harris (14)
UNC Blocks Leader: Cece Huhn and Gabi Placide (6)
UNC Ace Leader: Syd Cole and Makenzie Harris (3)

TEAM RECORDS SERIES NOTES:

UNC improved to 12-10, including 7-4 in Big Sky play, while the Bobcats dropped to 14-7, 7-4.
The Bears lead the all-time series 33-7, including 27-3 in the last 30 meetings.
The teams split the two matches this season.
UNC handed the Bobcats the first loss of the season on their home floor.

TEAM NOTES

The Bears hit .435, while holding Montana State to .026.
- Both marks set the season best for UNC.
UNC tallied nine blocks, while the Bobcats totaled five.
Both sides dropped in seven aces.
- The Bears committed 17 service errors, with just four by Montana State.
The teams combined for 10 ties and six lead changes in the first set but tallied 12 ties and five lead changes over the final three sets.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Harris recorded her eighth double-double of the season.
- She tallied 17 kills and 14 digs, with three aces and one block.
Reines hit .375 (14-5-24) and tallied five digs.
Placide hit .348 (10-2-23), with six blocks and six digs.
Bennett hit .692 (10-1-13), with two blocks and one dig.
Huhn netted six kills, six blocks and four digs.
Cole dished out 46 assists, with five digs, three kills and two aces.

UP NEXT
UNC travels to Missoula, Montana, for a clash at noon Saturday against Montana.

NEXT HOME MATCH
The Bears return to the Bank of Colorado Arena Saturday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. against Portland 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.