FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Oct 28, 2024) - The Northern Arizona women's volleyball team will take on the Northern Colorado Bears for the second time this season, with the last match up seeing UNC take a three set sweep (28-30, 25-13, 25-19) in Rolle Activity Center. The match will take place at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard time on Friday, Nov. 1.
In the first meeting between the two teams this season, Northern Arizona had a hitting percentage of .148 compared to Northern Colorado's .316. Sophia Wadsworth led the 'Jacks in kills with nine. Karya Suvarioglu was the leader in assists with 12. Kendall Robertson and Wadsworth shared the lead in blocks totaling three each. Millie O'Ketter had nine total digs and the team made five service aces. Northern Colorado would prove to be stronger defensively with double the amount of blocks, along with almost half the total errors.
Most recently the Bears took on Idaho on Oct. 26 and took the victory in three sets (25-14, 25-15, 25-16). UNC continued its winning streak to seven, improving to 17-5 on the season, with 8-1 in Big Sky Conference play. UNC currently sits atop the Big Sky Conference standings. Idaho fell to 1-19 overall and 0-9 in league action.
Northern Arizona took on the Eastern Washington Eagles this past Saturday and fell in four sets 3-1 (25-18, 21-25, 17-25, 20-25). The Lumberjacks had a hitting percentage of .240 average over the four sets, including a high .448 clip in the first set. With 55 kills, seven aces, four blocks, 51 assists and 50 digs, Northern Arizona put up a strong fight against Eastern Washington. Despite this, the 'Jacks would have 17 service errors which proved costly.
Offensively for the Bears, Gabi Placide is the leader in kills, totaling 292 this season for a 3.44 kill per set average and ranking her fifth in the Big Sky. Syd Cole tops the conference board with an astounding 863 assists so far this season, averaging 10.15 per set. She also ranks sixth with 0.34 service aces per set. Defensively, Sam Steele has 290 digs for a 3.41 average per set, which ranks her sixth. Steele ranks fifth, one spot ahead of Cole, in service aces with a 0.35 average. Isabel Bennett leads the Bears in blocks with 0.98 per set.
For Northern Arizona, Taylor Jacobsen leads in kills with 227 total for a 3.78 kill per set average, putting her second in the Big Sky. Hanah Stoddard ranks sixth with 206 kills for a 3.12 average. Sophia Wadsworth is in the top-10 for hitting percentage with a .276 average. In terms of assists, Keira Hall leads the 'Jacks with 370 for a 5.36 average, placing her eighth in the conference. Kendall Robertson has 66 blocks for the season, averaging .97 per set. O'Ketter leads the Big Sky in digs, totaling 334 for a 4.84 average. In her career she has 1,764 in her career, only 128 away from taking the top spot from Anna Gott in the NAU record book.
In the all-time series, Northern Colorado leads 24-12 dating back to 1974, and have a four game winning streak against Northern Arizona.
Live coverage of the event will be available through ESPN+ along with live stats to follow.
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