Bears Advance to NIVC Semis with Reverse Sweep

Wednesday, December 11

Tucson, Ariz.

3 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

28-7,14-2Big Sky

Arkansas State

28-6,14-2Sun Belt

Northern Colo.

Arkansas St.

12/11/2024 9:06:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score HC Oates Preser Final Match Book (PDF)

By: Michael High, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications

TUSCON, Ariz. – Facing elimination, Northern Colorado (28-7) pulled off a reverse sweep over Arkansas State (28-6) in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship semifinals at the McKale Center Wednesday.

Annette Baker and Alayna Tessena came off the bench and paced the Bears with 12 kills each. Baker completed a double-double with 10 digs and added two blocks and an assist. Tessena netted two digs and two blocks. Isabel Bennett recorded her third-straight double-digit kill performance with 10 while adding five blocks and a dig.

Arkansas State held UNC to a .082 hitting percentage, forcing 16 errors and allowing 21 kills on 61 attacks. The Bears handed the Red Wolves 10 of the matches 18 points with errors at the service line in the first two sets.

Following nine ties and five lead changes over the first two games, UNC executed at a sharper level after the intermission. The teams combined for five draws and swapped advantages three times over the final three frames.

Baker entered from the bench in the third and tallied seven of her kills and helped the Bears force a fourth set. UNC moved ahead at 3-1 on back-to-back successful attacks by Baker. The Bears led by as many as nine and cut the gap to 2-1.

Tessena picked up where Baker left off in the fourth frame and tallied five of her kills. Isabel Bennett's kill nudged UNC ahead 3-2 and held a 20-14 cushion before Arkansas State closed the gap at 23-20. Syd Cole moved the Bears to the brink of evening match and iced it with an attack error by the Red Wolves.

In the fifth and decisive set, UNC ran off eight points and held an 8-2 edge when the team's switched ends. Arkansas State fought back and evened the game at 12-all. Kills from Tessena and Bennett set UNC for its third victory over a Sun Belt opponent in three NIVC matches, with two match points. Tessena answered a kill by the Red Wolves, securing the triumph.

Cole inked a double-double with 42 assists, 12 digs, five kills and three blocks. Donning the libero jersey, accounted for 13 digs and three service aces.

UNC and Arizona met in the preseason at Bank of Colorado Arena, a 3-1 victory by the Wildcats. The winner of Thursday's contest at 6 p.m. on Arizona's home floor advances to the NIVC Championship Match. The game is available on ESPN+.