UNC Retains Blue & Gold Trophy

Friday, October 4

Flagstaff, Ariz.

7:30 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

11-5,2-1Big Sky

Northern Arizona

7-7,0-3Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Northern Ariz.

10/4/2024 11:39:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Final Match Book (PDF)

By: Michael High, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Colorado (11-5, 2-1) retained the Blue and Gold Battle Trophy with a 3-0 (30-28, 25-13, 25-19) triumph over Northern Arizona (7-7, 0-3) Friday at Rolle Activity Center.

"I thought we got better as the match went on," head coach Lyndsey Oates said. "We certainly have to start stronger. We got off to a slow start and that has been a bit of a trend for us in the last couple of matches."

The Bears won their seventh in the last eight contests over the Lumberjacks, including the previous four.

Syd Cole – who led the nation in total assists before the match – distributed 29 assists to five different Bears. She tallied a double-double with 11 digs, five block assists and four kills on six swings with no errors.

Gabi Placide paced UNC with 12 kills, adding eight digs and three blocks. Isabel Bennett netted nine blocks – one off her career high – with seven kills. Maddie Davies converted seven of her 14 swings with no errors and inked one block and one dig.

Brynn Reines put away five swings, while Sam Steele donned the libero jersey and registered eight digs. Mia Liddiard totaled two of the Bears four aces. The defense tallied 10 blocks; the fourth time UNC rejected double-digit attempts this season.

"Our serving picked us up as the match wore on and we were able to get them out of system and rhythm offensively, which led to more blocks and some transition points for us," Oates said. "Mia (Liddiard) came in and got us on a run so props to her for doing that."

UNC outlasted NAU in the opening set, going to extra points to win the game 30-28. The Bears failed on their first four set points, before closing the game. They staved off three by the Lumberjacks as well in a back-and-forth game.

In game two, the Bears jumped out to an early advantage and rode a high-hitting percentage to a 12-point triumph. They converted 10 of 21 swings with just one miscue.

After intermission, UNC ran off 14 of the final 22 points, turning an 11-all draw into a five-point cushion and closing the match out in three sets.

Up Next
The Bears continue the road trip at Portland State (Oct. 10) and Sacramento State (Oct. 12) before returning home for two contests.

Next Home Match
UNC returns to the Bank of Colorado Arena Thursday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. against Montana 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.

For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the volleyball team on Instagram, X and Facebook.

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