Bears Trade Swings with No. 11 Florida All Night

Saturday, August 31

Greeley, Colo.

6 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

1-1,0-0Big Sky

Florida

2-0,0-0SEC

Florida

Northern Colo.

8/31/2024 10:32:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Final Match Book (PDF)Updated Stats

By: Michael High, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – UNC dropped a tightly contested affair against No. 11 Florida at Bank of Colorado Arena Saturday.

The Bears hung with the Gators all night, with five points separating the teams over the four games.

Maddie Davies led four Bears in double-digit kills, matching her opening game total of 13 on 24 swings.

Gabi Placide registered 11 kills, while Isabel Bennett and Alayna Tessena inked 10 each.

UNC grabbed the early advantage with a 25-19 victory in the opening game. The Bears hit a team-high .394 in the first game and held the Gators to a match-low .219.

Florida rushed out the game in the second, carving out a 22-12 edge before the Bears made a run and sliced the gap to 24-18. The Gators sent the teams to intermission tied at 1-all on the next volley.

After the break, Florida moved in front at 15-14 at the media timeout. The Gators expanded the cushion to 20-15 before UNC made a run and got within one at 20-19. They closed out the game at 25-23.

Looking to force a fifth-and-final set, UNC stumbled out the gate and faced an 11-6 hole. Following a Bears timeout, they ran off five straight points and evened the game at 11-11. Florida responded with four in succession and forced a second stoppage by the Bears. Knotted at 21-all, Florida pushed UNC to the brink with three straight points, but the Bears tallied two before a service error ended the Bears night.

Syd Cole paced UNC with 42 assists, while Sam Steele dug out a game-high 12 digs. Brynn Reines dropped in nine kills, seven digs, two assists and two aces. Alayna Tessena posted her first-career double-digit kill performance with 10, adding a team-high three aces.

Up Next
The Bears travel to Fort Carson, Colorado, Tuesday, Sept. 3 for a clash with Colorado State at 6 p.m.

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