UNC Mirror

Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: File Photo Kenzie Shreeve, 7, and the rest the University of Northern Colorado volleyball are prepared to travel to Montana to play its rival, the Montana Grizzlies and the Monatana State Bobcats.

After what a few players deemed as a season-changing win against Northern Arizona on Saturday, the University of Northern Colorado volleyball team now faces the tough task of carrying the momentum from that win into this weekend's road trip.

That may be a little easier than usual, as the trip includes a visit to play rival Montana.

"Yeah, you know anytime we play Montana we get fired up," senior outside hitter Dulcie Stone said.

UNC (8-10, 3-5) visits the Montana State Bobcats (1-19, 0-8) today and then travels to play the Montana Grizzlies (7-12, 3-6) on Saturday to begin the second half of conference play.

Sophomore Allison Raguse said the game against Montana has everyone a little more excited to take the court than usual.

"The win at the beginning of the season was huge for us and this is going to be another big one because it's at their home court," Raguse said. "And, you know, beating someone at their home is a way to show your dominance, so we're exited."

Perhaps the biggest challenge for the Bears might be to stay focused against a pair of teams, which have dwelled in the cellar of the Big Sky Conference this year. Montana State is winless in conference play and has only managed one win all season. The Bears notched a 3-1 victory against them on Sept. 15 at Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion.

UNC coach Lyndsey Benson said it would be important to get a win against these teams, especially as the Bears' schedule gets tougher after the trip.

"Montana State is an athletic team but we don't want to be the team that gets their season going," Benson said.

Montana, according to Benson, is expecting anything, as the Grizzlies could play like an entirely different squad from their last match. The Bears swept Montana 3-0 on Sept. 13 to begin conference play.

"They're going to be a whole different team when we play them on Saturday night than they were when we beat them here," Benson said. "They'll be much more prepared. I think they overlooked us a little bit."

Stone - while acknowledging the ever-present danger of UNC being upset - wasn't too concerned of either team sneaking up on them.

"Going against Montana State, I don't think we're worried," Stone said. "Of course we're not over confident, but we know what we need to do to put them away."

According to Stone, playing mistake free volleyball will be the key if they wish to succeed. Stone said there's a feeling among the team that the Bears overcame a hump with their come-from-behind win against visiting Northern Arizona on Saturday.

"You know, it's hard to say, I guess we'll see on (today,) but I think so," Stone said. "I think we finally got everything clicking and we're ready to go."

The Bears will begin play at 7 p.m. today at Montana State and will then travel to face rival Montana for a game at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

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