Bears Battle New Mexico, Fall 3-1 in Colorado Classic Opener

Friday, September 4

Boulder, Colo.

3 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

0-3,0-0Big Sky

New Mexico

1-2,0-0Mountain West

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
New Mexico	25	23	25	25	3
Northern Colo.	20	25	20	16	1

Jesus Ayala | UNC Athletics

9/4/2026 5:28:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Elian Soto, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

BOULDER, Colo. - Northern Colorado Volleyball battled throughout Friday afternoon but ultimately fell to New Mexico, 3-1, in its opening match of the Colorado Classic inside the CU Events Center.

The Bears dropped the opening set 25-20 before responding with a strong second-set performance, taking the frame 25-23 to even the match at 1-1. New Mexico regained momentum in the third set, earning a 25-20 victory before closing out the match with a 25-16 fourth-set win.

Gillian Walton led the Bears offensively with 16 kills, setting a new career high. Maddie Rink added nine kills while Alayna Tessena finished with 11 kills, four blocks and 12 digs.

Nerea Alvarez Jorge orchestrated the offense with 40 assists, eclipsing 1,000 career assists as a Bear, while also adding three kills, 13 digs and a pair of blocks. Leila Ballard contributed seven kills and nine digs, while Summer Snead recorded seven kills and two blocks.

UP NEXT: The Bears will remain in Boulder for the remainder of the Colorado Classic, returning to action Saturday afternoon against Wichita State at 1 p.m. inside the CU Events Center. Northern Colorado will close out the tournament Sunday against No. 23 Colorado at 3 p.m.MT

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