The University of Northern Colorado (17-8, 11-3 Big Sky) clinched first place in the Big Sky rankings after beating Weber State on Saturday.
UNC finishes the regular season this weekend, with conference tournament seeding on the line. It is currently on a nine-game win streak since Oct. 13 against Montana State.
Head coach Lyndsey Oates, assistant Pi'i Aiu and multiple players said in recent weeks that the team controls its own destiny for the rest of the season.
Here are things to note as the postseason looms:
UNC is in position to earn the top seed and regular season title
The Bears started conference play with an 0-2 record and ranked near the bottom of the standings just one month ago. Now, they are in position to win the regular season and earn the top seed for the league tournament.
UNC needs to win out if it wants to earn both of those comfortably. It could lose one or both and still earn the title and No. 1 seed, however the team would need help in other matches and tie breakers.
Winning both games puts the Bears in a position to earn both outright, without relying on any other teams' success or failure.
They play Eastern Washington on Friday and Idaho on Saturday. They swept both teams at home this season, and Idaho has struggled the entire year. Eastern Washington, coached by former Bears assistant Jon Haruguchi, however should be a good matchup.
The Eagles should finish in the top eight and advance to the tournament. They will be playing for seeding, though. Eastern Washington upset Portland State on the road this weekend and will not be a team to overlook.
Bears sweep Big Sky awards
Northern Colorado outside hitter Kailey Jo Ince (16) reacts after scoring a point during the Northern Colorado Bears volleyball match against the Montana State Bobcats at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley Sept. 24, 2022. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
UNC received the Big Sky offensive and defensive player of the week awards, the conference announced Monday.
Graduate student Kailey Jo Ince earned the offensive award after recording 29 total kills last week, including 23 against Weber State. She hit at an efficient rate, too, logging a .353 hitting percentage.
Ince contributed 27 digs in the two matchups. She recorded 17 against the Wildcats for her 10th double-double of the season.
The fifth-year senior is No. 2 in the conference with 3.51 kills per set and 333 total kills.
Boon recorded 40 kills last week, 30 of which came against Weber State, for an average of 5 kills per set. In league play, she averages 3.77 digs per set to rank No. 3 in conference play. She also contributed 11 assists and one service ace.
Ince continues breaking records
Ince secured her spot in the 1,000 kills club last season, but she continues to climb in the program rankings.
After the Weber State game, Ince moved into No. 7 for all-time kills with 1,404. She is No. 8 all time in total attacks (3,751).
Ince is No. 2 for kills in the Division I era and No. 5 in attacks. She passed former teammate and current Eastern Washington assistant Taylor Muff in both categories.
She ranks No. 3 in points for the Division I era (1,545.5) and No. 4 in matches played for the Division I era (126). Ince would break the match record if UNC advances to the Big Sky Tournament title game.
Ince recently moved into the Division I top 10 for sets played (436), as well.
With the final weeks of the season looming, the Kansas native has an opportunity to help her team reach its goals and continue her own success.
Big goals ahead
While winning the national title may not be realistic, Northern Colorado believes it can win at least one match in the NCAA Tournament. That has been a goal for Oates and her crew for multiple seasons.
Last year, the team fell to Washington State in straight sets. A couple of years ago, it fell to Hawaii in four.
The team believes it has the skills and depth to do it this season.
UNC swept North Carolina, beat Colorado State at Moby and has faced multiple teams in the top 100 RPI.
If the Bears can secure Oates' seventh Big Sky title, based on the way it's playing now, that NCAA Tournament win might be possible.
Northern Colorado will play at 7 p.m. Friday against Eastern Washington. The Big Sky Tournament is scheduled for Nov. 23 through Nov. 26 in Ogden, Utah.
No comments:
Post a Comment