The University of Northern Colorado women’s volleyball team completes a 3-1 victory over the conference rival University of Idaho Vandals before starting their three game away trip.
The Bears, who are on a seven-game win streak, haven’t lost since Sept. 20 and are looking to keep their rise through the Big Sky standings going. Idaho (8-10) managed to swipe the first set from the Bears in a 25-15 bout.
The Vandals managed to keep the game competitive due to a few standout performances from their setter Hailey Pelton, who notched a team-high 23 assists. Additionally, outside hitter Delaney Hopen kept the Vandals in it with 23 digs in four sets.
The Bears, who haven’t played a fifth set in nearly a month, kept that streak going in another dominant (but often close) performance against their Idaho-based rivals. UNC was attributed with 73 points while the Vandals scored just 58. Sets three and four, however, were decided by just two points each as Idaho managed to score 23 points in both of those sets.
Defensively, the Vandals were able to notch ten more blocks (16-6) than UNC, there wouldn’t be another state besides aces that they lead in. Digs, assists, and kills belonged to the Bears who show a lot of offensive promise.
5-foot-9 setter Daisy Schultz led the Bears with an astounding 62 assists for her teammates. The Greenwood Village native managed to make the 2018 2nd Team All-Big Sky last year, and it’s safe to assume that with numbers like these, she could once again manage that mark.
UNC spread the kills around as three players clocked out with 15+ by the time the final whistle was blown. 5-foot-11 outside hitter Taylor Muff had 16, while teammates Lauren Hinrichs and Kailey Jo Ince both had 15. The Bears’ unselfish offense shined brightly under the lights of the Bank of Colorado Arena in their decisive victory.
Finally, senior defensive specialist Taylor Els was responsible for 23 of UNC’s 77 digs, and remains the centerpiece of the Bears’ defensive prowess. Taylor Muff and Jadyn McCartney each had 14 and 13 digs respectively.
After seven straight wins, the Bears sit comfortably atop the Big Sky standings. While boasting a 13-6 overall record, they’re undefeated in interconference play.
Students and fans can catch the games on Pluto TV and can additionally catch coverage postgame via The Mirror.
