UNC Falls in Championship Match

Friday, November 29

Sacramento, Calif.

8 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

25-7,14-2Big Sky

Sacramento State

21-11,11-5Big Sky

Sacramento St.

Northern Colo.

11/30/2024 2:08:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Final Match Book (PDF)

By: Michael High, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Northern Colorado fell in five sets (25-23, 19-25, 25-19, 13-25, 9-15) to Sacramento State in the Big Sky Conference Championship Match at the Nest Friday.

Gabi Placide established a career-high in kills for the second night in a row, with 25. She tallied a double-double with 14 digs and four service aces. Placide earned all-tournament team honors.

Syd Cole joined Placide on the all-tournament team and inked a double-double in the match with 46 assists, 12 digs, three kills, two aces and two blocks.

Donning the libero jersey, Sam Steele notched 17 digs and six assists.

UNC outhit the Hornets .295-.257 over the first three sets and held a 2-1 advantage. Sacramento State denied the Bears their eighth Big Sky Conference Championship with its defense. The Hornets held UNC to a .070 hitting percentage while putting away .375 of their swings over the final two sets. The Bears never led after winning game three and the teams tied once.

Sacramento State (21-11) earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, with the 64-team field announced Sunday at 4 p.m. MT on ESPN. UNC (25-6) must wait to find out if it makes the postseason for the sixth time in the last seven seasons. The Bears missed the postseason after the 2021 spring season, which allowed fewer teams due to COVID-19.