UNC Knocks Off Michigan State

Friday, August 30

Greeley, Colo.

6 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

1-0,0-0Big Sky

Michigan State

0-1,0-0Big Ten

Michigan St.

Northern Colo.

8/31/2024 12:39:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Final Match Book (PDF)Celebrate the Win

By: Michael High, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Gabi Placide and Maddie Davies paced Northern Colorado to a 3-1 victory (25-21, 25-22, 23-25, 25-15) in the season opener against Michigan State Friday at Bank of Colorado Arena.

Placide, the reigning Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year, tallied a career-high 16 kills on 31 swings, while Davies fell shy of her career-best with 13 kills on 26 attempts.

UNC jumped out to a 2-0 advantage at the break with victories in two tightly contested sets.

The Bears seized control of the opening set with a 14-5 spurt, moving in front 19-7. Trailing 7-5, UNC ran off six straight points to build an 11-7 edge. After swapping the next eight serves, the Bears opened the gap to 12, with four points in succession. Michigan State closed to within two at 23-21 before Davies slammed home a winner and an attack error by the Spartans secured the opening set victory.

Neither side led by more than two points in the second game until a 6-1 run by the Bears turned an 18-16 deficit into a 22-19 lead. The teams traded side-outs on the next six volleys, with UNC grabbing the early advantage on a service error.

UNC appeared poised to complete the sweep, jumping out to a 14-4 margin. The visitors from East Lansing, Michigan, responded with a 21-9 run and extended the contest to a fourth game.

Ahead 15-10 at the media timeout in game four, the Bears closed the contest by scoring 10 of the next 15 points.

Up Next
The Bears host No. 11 Florida at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31.

Team and Series Information

UNC and Michigan State met for the first time.
The Bears knocked off a team from a Power Four conference for the second time in three seasons, knocking off North Carolina in 2022.

Individual Notes

Samantha Steele and GA McCarter made their debut in a Bears uniform.
- Steele totaled 10 digs, six assists and two aces, while McCarter added an ace.
Syd Cole dished out 42 assists, with eight digs.
Brynn Reines tallied eight kills, 13 digs and an ace.
Alayna Tessena accounted for eight kills, eight digs and two service aces in her collegiate debut.
Isabel Bennett added seven kills and four blocks – two solo.

Inside the Numbers

The Bears outhit the Spartans .248-.156.
UNC held Michigan State under a .150 hitting percentage in three of the four sets, including a match-low .033 in the opening frame.
The Bears hit over .200 in three of the four games, with two sets over .300.

To celebrate this exciting win, you can make a gift to the Bear Attackers Club to support volleyball's continued success. Your contribution will help volleyball maintain its momentum and strive for even greater heights. Show your appreciation for their dedication as student-athletes by donating today: www.give2unc.org/bearattackersclub.

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.