Volleyball Preview: Eastern Washington; at Portland State

Eastern Washington (6-6) at Northern Colorado (5-6)
Bank of Colorado Arena – Greeley, Colo.
Thursday, Sept. 21 | 6 p.m.
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Northern Colorado (5-6) at Portland State (7-4)
Bank of Colorado Arena – Greeley, Colo.
Saturday, Sept. 23 | 8 p.m. MT
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SETTING THE SCENE
University of Northern Colorado opens the Big Sky Conference portion of its schedule, beginning with Eastern Washington at Bank of Colorado Arena Thursday at 6 p.m. The Bears travel to Portland State at 8 p.m. MT Saturday in the first meeting since last season's Big Sky Championship Final.

PROMOTIONS/SPONSORS SCHEDULE

Thursday's match is Faith and Family night.
- Members of the team will give their personal testimony after the match.

SERIES HISTORY – Eastern Washington

UNC leads the all-time series 27-10, including a current 10-match winning streak.
The Bears won the last seven meetings at home, dropping a five-set affair Sept. 27, 2014.
Last season, UNC swept the Eagles at home Oct. 22, before winning in five in Cheney, Wash., Nov. 18.

SERIES HISTORY – Portland State

UNC trails the all-time series 20-22.
The Bears claimed three victories over Portland State.
UNC swept both regular season meetings, before overcoming a 2-1 deficit in the Big Sky Championship Final.

HOME COOKING

The Bears own a 44-13 (.772) 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.

CHASING MILESTONES

Makenzie Harris needs 94 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 131 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 12 blocks to reach 329, moving into 10th-place on the program's all-time list.
- She's 12 block assists and 11 solo blocks from moving into 10^-th on the all-time list.
- Huhn needs six kills to reach 600 in her career.
Michaela Boon needs 42 digs to reach 800 in her career.

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 own 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.