Volleyball Preview: at Northeastern, vs. Northwestern

SETTING THE SCENE
University of Northern Colorado travels to Massachusetts for the Northeastern Tournament. The Bears take on the host Northeastern, from the Colonial Athletic Conference, Thursday, Sept. 7 at 3 p.m. MT. They finish their portion of the event against Northwestern, from the Big 10 Conference, at 3 p.m. MT Friday, Sept. 8.

MATCH INFO
Northern Colorado (3-3) at Northeastern (3-3)
Cabot Center – Boston, Mass.
Thursday, Sept. 7 | 3 p.m. MT
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Northern Colorado (3-3) vs. Northwestern (2-3)
Cabot Center – Boston, Mass.
Friday, Sept. 8 | 3 p.m. MT
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UNC Mobile App on Apple & Google Play

ABOUT THE BEARS

UNC finished a 3-1 week with a pair of sweeps over Charlotte (Sept. 1) and Xavier (Sept. 2) at the Colorado Classic – hosted by Colorado in Boulder, Colo.
Makenzie Harris fueled the offense, totaling 42 kills and 30 digs to lead the team.
- She inked 11 kills on 26 attempts, with no miscues against Xavier.
Cece Huhn blocked 14 attacks, while Gabi Placide and Isabell Bennett rejected 10 each.

SCOUTING THE HUSKIES

Northeastern went 0-3 at the Wake Forest Invitational (Aug. 25-26).
The Huskies won the Bryant Invitational (Sept. 1-2), defeating Lafayette, Sienna and Bryant.
Abby Reck leads the team with 67 kills, while Jessica Frannea runs the offense, totaling 153 assists.
Pono Gacutan anchors the defense, recording 61 digs, while Annabel Zier owns half of the team's 40 blocks.
The Huskies average nearly two aces from the service line per set.

SERIES HISTORY

Northern Colorado leads the all-time series 2-0.
The Bears won the first meeting 3-0, at the South Dakota Classic in Vermillion, S.D., Aug. 31, 2018.
In 2021, UNC defeated the Huskies in five sets at the Denver Tournament, in Denver, Colo., Sept. 4, 2021.
- Makenzie Harris netted 13 kills in the match.

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS

Northwestern enters the weekend with a 2-3 mark, falling at Milwaukee Monday.
The Wildcats went 1-2 opening weekend, defeating No. 13 San Diego – which made the national semifinals in 2022.
Northwestern swept Illinois State at home Sept. 1.
The Wildcats hit .213 as a team, while holding their opponents to .214.
Julia Sangiacomo's 48 kills and Alexa Rousseau's 166 assists pace the squad.
Leilani Dodson tallied 24 of the team's 44 blocks.
Elle Stinson leads the way with 87 digs.

SERIES HISTORY

UNC claimed a 3-2 victory over the Wildcats Aug. 27, 2021, in Greeley, Colo., the lone matchup between the two squads.
Cece Huhn hit .500 (11-1-20) for the Bears.
Makenzie Harris finished with 10 kills and seven digs.

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.