University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Friday, October 24
Flagstaff, Ariz.
7:30 p.m MT (6:30 MST)
University of Northern Colorado
at
Northern Arizona
PREVIEW: Bears Head to Flagstaff for First-Place Showdown with Northern Arizona
10/22/2025 11:57:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado Volleyball (9-11, 6-2 Big Sky) is headed south for a pivotal road matchup against Northern Arizona (16-5, 6-2 Big Sky) on Friday night. First serve is set for 7:30 p.m. MDT/6:30 p.m. MST inside the Rolle Activity Center in Flagstaff.
The Bears enter the contest riding a four-match win streak after a dominant weekend on the road, defeating Idaho and Eastern Washington to climb into a tie for first place in the Big Sky standings alongside NAU.
Northern Colorado displayed resilience and offensive balance throughout the trip, rallying from two sets down to defeat Idaho, 3-2, before earning a convincing four-set win over Eastern Washington. The Bears' attack continues to find its stride, averaging over 58.5 kills per match across the two wins and 51.8 on the season.
Alayna Tessena and Zoe Gibbs powered the offense last week, combining for 60 kills across the two matches. Setter Nerea Alvarez-Jorge has been the steady force behind UNC's rhythm, posting a career-high 57 assists against Idaho and adding 34 more versus Eastern Washington. Defensively, Bella LePore has anchored the back row while the Bears' front line continues to frustrate opponents at the net, totaling 24 blocks on the weekend.
Friday's matchup sets the stage for a key first-place showdown in the Big Sky, with both teams looking to maintain momentum as the conference race tightens down the stretch.
Scouting the Opponent
Northern Arizona
The Lumberjacks enter the week with a 16-5 overall record and a 6-2 mark in conference play, having established themselves as one of the league's most consistent teams this season. NAU has protected home court effectively, winning all six matches this season in Flagstaff.
Offensively, Hanah Stoddard leads the charge with 330 kills on the year, followed by Gigi Greenlee with 195 and Sophia Wadsworth with 152. The Lumberjacks boast a balanced setting duo in Keira Hall and Ella Hosfeld, who have each tallied 410 assists this season.
From the service line, Hall also leads with 23 aces, while Stoddard (20) and Melia Barlow (18) provide additional firepower. Defensively, Barlow anchors the back row with 266 digs, narrowly ahead of Stoddard's 260. At the net, Greenlee stands out as a dominant blocker, totaling 97.0 on the season, while Avery Gottschalk (59.0) and Wadsworth (53.0) add strong support up front.
With both teams tied atop the Big Sky standings, Friday's clash carries major implications in the race for postseason seeding and regular-season supremacy.
UP NEXT
The Bears will return to Greeley for a three game home stretch, starting with an instate match up against No. 24 Colorado on Tuesday, October 28.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Bear action online and on social media. Follow the Bears on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsVB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsVB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsVB).
The Bears enter the contest riding a four-match win streak after a dominant weekend on the road, defeating Idaho and Eastern Washington to climb into a tie for first place in the Big Sky standings alongside NAU.
Northern Colorado displayed resilience and offensive balance throughout the trip, rallying from two sets down to defeat Idaho, 3-2, before earning a convincing four-set win over Eastern Washington. The Bears' attack continues to find its stride, averaging over 58.5 kills per match across the two wins and 51.8 on the season.
Alayna Tessena and Zoe Gibbs powered the offense last week, combining for 60 kills across the two matches. Setter Nerea Alvarez-Jorge has been the steady force behind UNC's rhythm, posting a career-high 57 assists against Idaho and adding 34 more versus Eastern Washington. Defensively, Bella LePore has anchored the back row while the Bears' front line continues to frustrate opponents at the net, totaling 24 blocks on the weekend.
Friday's matchup sets the stage for a key first-place showdown in the Big Sky, with both teams looking to maintain momentum as the conference race tightens down the stretch.
Scouting the Opponent
Northern Arizona
The Lumberjacks enter the week with a 16-5 overall record and a 6-2 mark in conference play, having established themselves as one of the league's most consistent teams this season. NAU has protected home court effectively, winning all six matches this season in Flagstaff.
Offensively, Hanah Stoddard leads the charge with 330 kills on the year, followed by Gigi Greenlee with 195 and Sophia Wadsworth with 152. The Lumberjacks boast a balanced setting duo in Keira Hall and Ella Hosfeld, who have each tallied 410 assists this season.
From the service line, Hall also leads with 23 aces, while Stoddard (20) and Melia Barlow (18) provide additional firepower. Defensively, Barlow anchors the back row with 266 digs, narrowly ahead of Stoddard's 260. At the net, Greenlee stands out as a dominant blocker, totaling 97.0 on the season, while Avery Gottschalk (59.0) and Wadsworth (53.0) add strong support up front.
With both teams tied atop the Big Sky standings, Friday's clash carries major implications in the race for postseason seeding and regular-season supremacy.
UP NEXT
The Bears will return to Greeley for a three game home stretch, starting with an instate match up against No. 24 Colorado on Tuesday, October 28.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Bear action online and on social media. Follow the Bears on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsVB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsVB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsVB).
Players Mentioned
DS
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