University of Northern Colorado Athletics
University of Northern Colorado
9-12,6-3Big Sky
Northern Arizona
17-5,7-2Big Sky
Volleyball Falls in Back and Forth Battle to Northern Arizona
10/24/2025 9:49:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Colorado volleyball (9-12, 6-3 Big Sky) fell in straight sets to Northern Arizona (17-5, 7-2 Big Sky) on Friday night (25-27, 22-25, 26-28) inside Rolle Activity Center.
Despite the 3-0 result, the Bears battled the Lumberjacks point-for-point throughout, with each set decided by three points or fewer. UNC finished with 43 kills on a .156 hitting percentage, while NAU posted 42 kills and hit .188.
Isabel Bennett and Zoe Gibbs led the Bears offensively with nine kills apiece, both hitting above .280 on the night. Bennett added a block assist, while Gibbs contributed three block assists and totaled 10.5 points. Brynn Reines also chipped in nine kills along with nine digs and an ace, while Bella Van Lannen hit an efficient .300 with six kills.
Setter Nerea Alvarez-Jorge directed the attack with 33 assists and added nine digs and a service ace. Defensively, libero Bella LePore anchored the back row with a team-high 18 digs, while the Bears collectively tallied 57.
Northern Colorado came out strong in the opening frame, pushing the set to extra points before NAU escaped, 27-25. The Bears continued to pressure in the second, narrowing a late deficit to 24-22 before the Lumberjacks closed it out. In the third, UNC fought off multiple match points and tied the score at 26 before NAU sealed the sweep.
The Bears will return home on Tuesday, October 28 for an instate matchup against No. 24 Colorado. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. MDT in the Bank of Colorado Arena.
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