UNC Rallies to Defeat Montana

Saturday, November 4

Missoula, Mont.

12 p.m

University of Northern Colorado

13-10,8-4Big Sky

Montana

9-15,5-7Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Montana

11/4/2023 9:34:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

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

By: Michael High, Asisstant Director for Strategic Communications

MISSOULA, Mont. – Isabel Bennett and Makenzie Harris propelled Northern Colorado's (16-25, 25-18, 18-25, 25-18, 15-15) comeback victory over Montana at Dahlberg Arena Saturday.

Bennett and Harris accounted for 34 of the Bears 61 kills, totaling 17 each. Bennett hit .517 (17-2-29) and set a career high in kills. Harris hit .349 with 17 kills on 39 swings, with three errors. She posted her third straight double-digit kills performance, including back-to-back contests with 17.

The Bears hit .400 in the three sets they won, while recording a .038 percentage in the two sets they lost. They held Montana to .238 in the second, fourth and fifth sets and .290 in the other two sets.

UNC trailed after the first and third sets, earning victories in the second and fourth to force a fifth-and-decisive game. The Bears trailed 3-0 before running off 4 of 5 to knot game five at 4-4. The teams alternated the next six points, before a kill from Harris handed her side the one-point lead as the teams chanced sides.

UNC built its biggest gap of the frame at 12-12, before Montana stormed back and took a 13-12 advantage. A kill by Annette Baker and an attack error from the Grizzles set up match point. Bennett slammed home the winner, securing the Bears third-straight victory.

In the opening game, Montana tallied 13 of the final 17 points, turning a 12-12 tie into a nine-point victory.

The Bears responded, moving in front for good at 9-8 on the first of three-consecutive kills by Bennett.

After intermission, Montana capitalized on a trio of attack errors from the Bears, igniting a 15-8 run to close out the set.

Poised to nail down the victory, the Grizzlies jumped out to a 10-3 cushion but a 14-7 spurt erased the deficit and evened everything at 17-all. Harris nudged the Bears ahead before Cece Huhn put away two kills and forced Montana's second timeout in three points at 20-17. A pair of successful attacks from Harris, one from Huhn and two attack errors iced the game for UNC.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH
"That was a test of resiliency," head coach Lyndsey Oates said. "I am simply happy we were able to pull it out. We did not play particularly well and give some of that credit to Montana but we did just enough. We were able to get the ball to Izzy [Bennett] and she was highly effective. We found just enough in our serve and pass game to pull it out in the end. Kenzie [Harris] was also very mature, attacking at an extremely high percentage."

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 (17)
UNC Assists Leader: Syd Cole (39)
UNC Digs Leader: Michaela Boon (18)
UNC Blocks Leader: Cece Huhn (3)
UNC Ace Leader: Five Bears tied (1)

TEAM RECORDS SERIES NOTES:

UNC improved to 13-10, including 8-4 in Big Sky play, while the Grizzlies dropped to 9-15, 5-7.
The Bears lead the all-time series 27-10 and extended their winning streak over Montana to 18.
- UNC swept the 2023 season.

The Bears hold the third spot in the Big Sky standings, while Montana sits in seventh with two weeks remaining in league play.

TEAM NOTES

UNC outhit the Grizzlies .268 (61-23-142) -.259 (55-20-135).
The Bears tallied five blocks, while allowing 11.
UNC recorded five aces at the service line and surrendered seven.
The teams combined for 23 ties and 12 lead changes.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Bennett notched 17 kills, two blocks, one dig and one assist.
Harris tallied 17 kills, six digs, two blocks and one service ace.
Cole handed out 39 assists, with six digs, four kills and a block.
Huhn finished with seven kills, three blocks and an ace.
Placide chipped in with six kills.
Baker totaled five kills, three digs and an ace.
Reines netted five kills, four digs and a block.
Bella LePore added five digs and an ace.

UP NEXT
UNC continues the road trip Friday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. against Idaho.

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.