University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Tuesday, October 28
Greeley, Colo.
6 p.m. MDT
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Colorado
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Bears Host No. 24 Colorado in Final Nonconference Test Tuesday Night
10/26/2025 11:03:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado Volleyball (9-12, 6-3 Big Sky) returns home for a marquee nonconference matchup against No. 24 Colorado on Tuesday, Oct. 28. First serve is slated for 6 p.m. inside Bank of Colorado Arena.
The Bears look to regroup after a tightly contested road loss to Northern Arizona, where all three sets were decided by three points or fewer. Despite the setback, UNC showcased its competitive edge against one of the Big Sky's top teams, finishing with 43 kills and nearly matching the Lumberjacks statistically across the board.
Isabel Bennett and Zoe Gibbs led the offensive effort in Flagstaff, each recording nine kills while hitting above .280. Gibbs added three block assists and finished with 10.5 total points, while Brynn Reines continued her consistent play with nine kills, nine digs, and an ace. Setter Nerea Alvarez-Jorge directed the offense with 33 assists and added nine digs and a service ace, and libero Bella LePore once again anchored the back row with 18 digs.
Tuesday's matchup against the nationally ranked Buffaloes marks the Bears' final nonconference test of the season and a chance to build momentum heading into the stretch run of Big Sky play. With nine of their 16 conference matches complete, UNC sits in a four-way tie for second place in the league standings and will look to use the contest as preparation for a crucial seven-match conference push.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
The Buffaloes enter the week ranked No. 24 nationally with a 18-3 overall record and a 9-1 mark in Big 12 play. Colorado has been a steady force throughout the season, earning key wins over ranked opponents and maintaining a strong home record while proving capable on the road.
Offensively, Ana Burilović headlines the attack with 375 kills on the year, followed by Sydney Jordan with 195 and Cayla Payne with 168. Lily Dwinell (142) and Maria Spławska (64) provide additional support for a balanced offensive unit.
Running the offense is setter Rian Finley, who has totaled 767 assists this season to go along with 10 service aces and 125 digs. From the service line, Burilović leads the way with 35 aces, while Jordan adds 30 and Inés Losada and Sarah Morton contribute 11 each.
Defensively, Morton anchors the back row with 235 digs, trailed closely by Jordan (193) and Peyton Neal (172). At the net, Spławska and Payne form a formidable blocking duo, posting 85.0 and 84.0 total blocks, respectively, while Dwinell (53.0) and Burilović (45.0) add key support up front.
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 look to regroup after a tightly contested road loss to Northern Arizona, where all three sets were decided by three points or fewer. Despite the setback, UNC showcased its competitive edge against one of the Big Sky's top teams, finishing with 43 kills and nearly matching the Lumberjacks statistically across the board.
Isabel Bennett and Zoe Gibbs led the offensive effort in Flagstaff, each recording nine kills while hitting above .280. Gibbs added three block assists and finished with 10.5 total points, while Brynn Reines continued her consistent play with nine kills, nine digs, and an ace. Setter Nerea Alvarez-Jorge directed the offense with 33 assists and added nine digs and a service ace, and libero Bella LePore once again anchored the back row with 18 digs.
Tuesday's matchup against the nationally ranked Buffaloes marks the Bears' final nonconference test of the season and a chance to build momentum heading into the stretch run of Big Sky play. With nine of their 16 conference matches complete, UNC sits in a four-way tie for second place in the league standings and will look to use the contest as preparation for a crucial seven-match conference push.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
The Buffaloes enter the week ranked No. 24 nationally with a 18-3 overall record and a 9-1 mark in Big 12 play. Colorado has been a steady force throughout the season, earning key wins over ranked opponents and maintaining a strong home record while proving capable on the road.
Offensively, Ana Burilović headlines the attack with 375 kills on the year, followed by Sydney Jordan with 195 and Cayla Payne with 168. Lily Dwinell (142) and Maria Spławska (64) provide additional support for a balanced offensive unit.
Running the offense is setter Rian Finley, who has totaled 767 assists this season to go along with 10 service aces and 125 digs. From the service line, Burilović leads the way with 35 aces, while Jordan adds 30 and Inés Losada and Sarah Morton contribute 11 each.
Defensively, Morton anchors the back row with 235 digs, trailed closely by Jordan (193) and Peyton Neal (172). At the net, Spławska and Payne form a formidable blocking duo, posting 85.0 and 84.0 total blocks, respectively, while Dwinell (53.0) and Burilović (45.0) add key support up front.
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
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