UNC Mirror

Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Photo Courtesy of Paul Dorweiler of the UNC Athletic Department Senior outside hitter Dulcie Stone spikes a ball over the net Thursday night at Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion. The Bears lost the match 3-1 to No. 2 ranked Portland State.

The University of Northern Colorado volleyball team failed to knock off No. 2 ranked Portland State Thursday as they continue to push toward the playoffs.

The Bears came out strong, winning the first game more handily than the score indicated, but the No. 2 ranked Vikings were able to run off three consecutive games to win 3-1 (30-27, 23-30, 21-30, 25-30). Portland State had tremendous blocking from sophomore Erica Jepsen and freshman Christine Hamilton.

Portland State is known as a great blocking team, but coach Lyndsey Benson said her team knew that and was prepared. She said her team just wasn't able to execute and make adjustments.

"They're a great blocking team and they lead the conference in blocks," Benson said. "I thought we handled the block OK, but it was us trying to avoid the block which led to our errors."

The Bears have proven they can compete with the top teams in the conference after last week's upset against top ranked Sacramento State and a solid first game against the Vikings. They have to play a well-rounded set of games in order to consistently compete with the elite teams in the Big Sky.

"We can definitely compete with the top teams in the conference," sophomore outside hitter Allison Raguse said. "Those slumps we have are all mental errors on our side and we know we have the power to control it."

Senior captain Abby Mayne agreed and said the team hurt themselves against Portland State.

"I think honestly, for us it's more mental, so we need to be tougher mentally than what we're doing," Mayne said.

The Bears weren't able to adjust as well as the Vikings Thursday night. After the first game their passes weren't as crisp, in part because they were trying to overcompensate for Portland State's blocking attack.

"We just weren't in a good flow," Benson said. "Passing is a rhythm thing, setting is a rhythm thing and it just wasn't there."

Benson credited the Vikings with making adjustments and said her team needs to become more consistent. She also said she needs to get a complete game from every player in order to compete with the top teams in the conference.

The Bears' next opponent is Eastern Washington at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion. It will be senior night as outside hitter Dulcie Stone and Mayne will be recognized for their contribution to the program during the past four years. Despite the inconsistency, Mayne still has high aspirations for the team.

"We want go to the tournament and win the tournament," she said. "I know that everyone on this team wants to be here and has a lot of heart."

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