 NORTHERN COLORADO 3, ARKANSAS STATE 2 (20-25, 17-25, 25-16, 25-20, 15-13)
TUCSON, AZ – Northern Colorado fought out of a 0-2 hole against Arkansas State to tie the match, then prevailed in a stress-packed fifth set to push the Bears through the Great 8 round of the 2024 NIVC on Wednesday. UNC (28-7) will play Arizona or Wyoming in the Fab 4 round. Northern Colorado used an 8-0 run to take an 8-2 lead in the fifth set, but Arkansas State responded and had the set tied at 12-all. Alayna Tessena had two essential kills for the Bears in the final stretch, including the match winner off a set from Syd Cole. Tessena had 12 kills in the match, Annette Baker had 12 kills and 10 digs for UNC, and Isabel Bennett closed with 10 kills. Cole had 42 assists and 12 digs while Sam Steele finished with 13 digs. Set 1 saw a couple of service errors by UNC help the Red Wolves preserve a lead, and the set was decided on a hitting error by the Bears. In the second set, Northern Colorado started off fine with a 7-4 lead, but Arkansas State replied with a 9-2 run, capped by a kill from Kaitlin Whitlock. Devyn Lewis sealed the set with back-to-back kills for the Red Wolves. In Set 3, Northern Colorado jumped ahead 6-1, then 11-3 after two kills in a row from Baker. The Bears hit .312 in winning the set – they kept up the rallying spirit in Set 4, taking a 16-9 lead by posting nine kills before making their first hitting error. Arkansas State closed within 23-20 before UNC won the set and tied the match, 2-2. The Red Wolves (28-6) saw Whitlock come through with nine kills and eight digs, and Grace Wiley had eight kills. Erin Madigan finished with 17 assists, Valeria Ortiz had 16 assists and Sarah Martinez added 17 digs. |
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