UNC Grounds Air Force

Friday, September 13

Denver, Colo.

2 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

7-2,0-0Big Sky

Air Force

1-7,0-0Mountain West

Northern Colo.

Air Force

9/13/2024 9:25:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Final Match Book (PDF)Season Stats

By: Michael High, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications

DENVER – Northern Colorado utilized a balance attack to defeat Air Force in four sets (25-10, 18-25, 25-22, 26-24) in the Mile Hile Classic – hosted by Denver – at Hamilton Gym Friday.

"I am glad we finished it off in the fourth," head coach Lyndsey Oates said. "I was proud of how we gritted it out, especially down 22-24. We just could not find a rhythm in the second through fourth sets but we pulled it out."

UNC (7-2) hit .246 (54-22-130) and tallied 12 blocks, while holding the Falcons (1-7) to the second-lowest hitting percentage of the season by an opponent at .156 (40-21-122).

The Bears opened the match on fire, converting 16 of their 32 attempts, with three errors, while limiting their opponents to 3 for 27, with seven miscues. They jumped in front 10-1 and 17-6 on their way to the largest victory in a single set this season.

Air Force flipped the momentum in game two and evened the match at 1-1 as the teams went to the locker rooms.

A kill by the Falcons knotted game three at 18-all, before UNC closed the set out with a 7-4 advantage and regained an advantage at 2-1.

In the final stanza, the teams tallied 11 deadlocks, with three lead changes. Trailing 15-16, Air Force regained the advantage with the next two points and secured two set points with a 9-6 edge at 24-22. Maddie Davies pulled UNC within one at 24-23 with a kill and Brynn Reines even the score with an ace. Attack errors by Air Force on the next two serves by Reines secured the victory.

"Brynn had some really big service rallies for us at the end of sets three and four," Oates said. "Now we will get ready for a quick turnaround tomorrow against Denver."

Series and Team Notes

UNC improved to 55-13 in the all-time series, including 10-0 in the last 10 meetings.
The Bears improved to 2-0 against Mountain West opponents this season.
UNC held Air Force to the second lowest hitting percentage (.156) of the season and the third time an opponent failed to reach .200.
The Bears set a season high with 12 blocks and reached 50 kills for the seventh time this season.

Individual Notes

Isabel Bennett paced the Bears with 13 kills and added five blocks.
Gabi Placide tallied 11 kills and four blocks.
Brynn Reines netted a double-double with 10 kills, 10 digs and added three assists and three blocks.
Maddie Davies chipped in with 10 kills and six blocks.
Syd Cole delivered 45 assists and three service aces, with three blocks.
Sam Steele anchored the backline with 19 digs and added one ace, three assists and a kill.

Up Next
The Bears face Denver at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Mile High Classic – hosted by Denver – at Hamilton Gym.

Next Home Match
UNC returns to the Bank of Colorado Arena Saturday, Sept. 28, when the Big Sky Conference home opener against Idaho State at 6 p.m. 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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