University of Northern Colorado Athletics
University of Northern Colorado
1-0,0-0Big Sky
Washington
0-1,0-0Big Ten
Bears defeat Huskies in Season Home Opener
8/29/2025 9:20:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
GREELEY, Colo.- In an unforgettable opening night to the 2025 volleyball season, Northern Colorado's volleyball team staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the University of Washington Huskies in a five-set thriller at Bank of Colorado Arena on Friday. The Bears, energized by a packed and electric home crowd, found themselves down 2-0 early in the match but fought back to secure a gutsy 3-2 victory in a battle that had the fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
Despite dropping the first two sets in tight, hard-fought battles (25-22, 25-23), Northern Colorado refused to fold under pressure. The Bears stormed back in sets three and four, cruising to 25-16 and 25-23 victories, forcing a decisive fifth set. UNC finished strong, capturing the final set 16-14 to complete the reverse sweep, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Final Set Scores:
Set 1: 25-22 Huskies
Set 2: 25-23 Huskies
Set 3: 25-16 Bears
Set 4: 25-23 Bears
Set 5: 16-14 Bears
Key Players:
Alayna Tessena was the standout player of the match, delivering a dominant performance offensively. The Sophomore outside hitter racked up an impressive 21 kills, hitting at a scorching .444 clip. Tessena's leadership on the court was crucial to the Bears' turnaround, and her timely kills helped push Northern Colorado over the finish line in the final sets.
On the defensive end, Bella LePore was an anchor for the Bears. The junior libero was everywhere in the back row, making key digs and saving crucial points that contributed to the team's successful comeback. LePore's defensive poise helped steady her teammates and kept the Huskies from building momentum in key moments.
Coach's Perspective:
Head Coach Lyndsey Oates praised her team's mental toughness, citing their unwavering composure as the key to their success. "We weren't focused on the outcome — we were just focused on being in the moment," said Oates. "That mindset carried us through. Even though we lost the first two sets, we stayed composed and executed the same plays in sets 3, 4, and 5. Every set was tight, but we made just one more play in the final three sets."
The Bears' rally was a testament to their resilience, teamwork, and grit — qualities that will serve them well as they embark on the rest of their season. Oates' team demonstrated that no deficit is too big when they remain focused and united.
Looking Ahead:
Northern Colorado's victory marks a thrilling start to their 2025 campaign, and the team is already gearing up for their next matchup. The Bears will look to keep the momentum rolling as they return to action on Saturday, August 30, against Colgate.
The second match of their home stand will once again be held at Bank of Colorado Arena, with the first serve set for 6 p.m.
Starting the season off strong! This incredible victory is just the beginning of what's to come this season, and your continued support is vital. Celebrate with Volleyball and Give for the W today: https://www.give2unc.org/bearattackersclub
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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)
