Bears Drop Five-Set Battle against UIW

Friday, September 5

Provo, Utah

3:30 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

2-3,0-0Big Sky

Incarnate Word

3-2,0-0Southland

Northern Colo.

UIW

9/5/2025 6:14:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

PROVO, Utah – Three Bears finished with double-digit kills, highlighted by a career night from Alayna Tessena, but Northern Colorado fell in five sets to Incarnate Word on Friday at Smith Fieldhouse in the BYU Nike Invitational.

The Bears (2-3) once again went the distance, playing their fourth five-set match of the season, but came up short against the Cardinals (3-2) by scores of 21-25, 25-27, 25-13, 25-18, 11-15.

Tessena powered the attack with a career-high 23 kills, surpassing her previous best of 21 set earlier this season against Washington. She added 11 digs for her first double-double of the year and second of her career. Joining her in double figures were senior middle blocker Isabel Bennett and senior outside hitter Brynn Reines, who each tallied 12 kills. Reines also notched 14 digs for her first double-double of the season and fourth overall.

Leading the offense was senior setter Mia Liddiard, who dished out a career-high 53 assists to go along with eight digs and two aces. Her performance topped her previous best of 52, also set against Washington.

Bennett anchored the defense at the net with a team-high nine blocks, while Bella Van Lannen and Reines added five and four, respectively. Defensively, the Bears dug 69 balls, with Reines and libero Bella Lepore leading the way with 14 apiece.

Northern Colorado hit .263 as a team with 65 kills, outpacing UIW's 51 kills and .143 efficiency. The Bears also held the edge in total points (107-98), blocks (12-9), and digs (69-56).

After dropping a tight opening set and another heartbreaker in extras in the second, the Bears fought back in the third and fourth frames, hitting over .340 in both sets while holding UIW to a combined .029. In the decisive fifth, Northern Colorado built an early lead, but the Cardinals rallied late and close on a 5-1 run to seal the match.

The Bears close out the BYU Nike Classic tomorrow afternoon against Wichita State, with first serve set for 1 p.m. MT on ESPN+.

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