Bears Outlast Montana in Four-Sets for First Road Win of Big Sky Play

Thursday, October 2

Missoula, Mont.

7 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

5-10,2-1Big Sky

Montana

10-4,2-1Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Montana

10/2/2025 9:54:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

MISSOULA, Mont. – Northern Colorado volleyball earned a hard-fought road victory on Thursday night, defeating Montana in four sets (25-23, 13-25, 25-21, 27-25) inside Dahlberg Arena.

The Bears (5-10, 2-1 Big Sky) picked up their second conference win of the season, while handing the Grizzlies (10-4, 2-1 Big Sky) their first Big Sky loss.

Senior outside hitter Brynn Reines paced UNC's offense with 16 kills and 14 digs for a double-double, while middle blocker Isabel Bennett added 11 kills on .320 hitting to go along with five blocks. Junior setter Nerea Alvarez-Jorge directed the offense with 30 assists and chipped in 16 digs and an ace.

Northern Colorado's defense came up big in the back row, finishing with 85 digs on the night. Bella LePore anchored the effort with 23 digs and one ace, while Alayna Tessena contributed nine kills, six digs and a pair of blocks. Zoe Gibbs and Bella Van Lannen combined for seven blocks to slow down Montana's attack.

The Bears claimed a tight first set, rallying late behind Bennett's steady presence at the net to win 25-23. Montana responded with a dominant second frame, hitting .438 to even the match. UNC regrouped and controlled the third set with strong defensive play, holding the Griz to a -.044 hitting percentage in the set.

The decisive fourth set featured 15 ties and seven lead changes, with neither team leading by more than two points down the stretch. Reines and Bennett delivered key kills, and Tessena sealed the match with a service ace to clinch the 27-25 victory.

Northern Colorado finished with 47 kills, four aces and eight blocks, while holding Montana to a .137 hitting percentage despite the Grizzlies tallying 52 kills.

UP NEXT
The Bears will take on Montana State on Saturday at 1 p.m. MT.

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