Volleyball Preview: Northern Arizona

Saturday, September 30

Greeley, Colo.

7 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

Northern Arizona

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9/28/2023 9:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

Northern Arizona (4-9) at Northern Colorado (6-7)
Bank of Colorado Arena – Greeley, Colo.
Saturday, Sept. 30 | 7 p.m.
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SETTING THE SCENE
University of Northern Colorado returns to Bank of Colorado Arena for a Big Sky Conference match against Northern Arizona. It is the first of two regular-season meetings, with both matches occurring over the next two weeks. The Bears close out the three-match home stand against Montana Oct. 5, and Montana State Oct. 7, before making the trip to Flagstaff, Arizona Oct. 14.

PROMOTIONS/SPONSORS SCHEDULE
Saturday's match is $5 football bounce back ticket night. A promotional code will be made available to fans in attendance at the 1 p.m. football game against Weber State at Nottingham Field.

SERIES HISTORY

UNC leads the all-time series 21-10, including 6-4 over the last 10 meetings.
The Bears won the last five meetings at home, with the last loss in Greeley a four-set affair Sept. 22, 2016.
The teams split the two matches in 2022, with each team defending their home court.
- UNC dropped a five-set match in Flagstaff Oct. 8, before sweeping the Lumberjacks Nov. 5.

HOME COOKING

The Bears have a 45-13 (.776) 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.
UNC opened Big Sky play by defeating Eastern Washington in three sets Sept. 21 at home.

CHASING MILESTONES

Makenzie Harris needs 71 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 66 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 needs six blocks to reach 329, moving into 10th-place on the program's all-time list.
- is 24 block assists to reach 284 and eight solo blocks to total 71 in her career, from moving into 10^-th on the all-time list in both categories.
Michaela Boon needs 26 digs to reach 800 in her career.

LAST TIME OUT

University of Northern Colorado dropped a tough four-set match to Portland State, 17-25, 18-25, 25-22, 17-22, at Viking Pavilion Sept. 23.
Brynn Reines registered a career-high 14 kills.
Syd Cole inked a double-double, with 34 assists and 12 digs.
Makenzie Harris tallied a game-high 17 kills, while Bella LePore led the Bears with 13 digs.
Cece Huhn recorded three blocks, while four other Bears netted one each.

SCOUTING THE LUMBERJACKS

Northern Arizona opened Big Sky action by falling in straight sets at Sacramento State Sept. 21.
The Lumberjacks rebounded with a sweep at home over Idaho Sept. 23.
They have been swept seven times this season, including their last six defeats.
Hannah Stoddard and Kylie Moran account for 52% of the offense, tallying 261 of the team's 506 kills.

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 have 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.