Northern Colorado volleyball beats Denver in season-opening exhibition

The consequence didn’t depend towards the general document, however the College of Northern Colorado despatched the Pioneers packing on Saturday night time in its opening exhibition.

UNC picked up a 3-1 win (25-22, 25-21, 21-25, 25-14) towards Denver to start out its season. It was a chance to see a number of the youthful gamers and decide the place deficiencies lie.

Bears coach Lyndsey Oates stated the staff obtained every part out of the match that it hoped. A number of new and less-experienced gamers noticed the ground, and weaknesses had been uncovered.

“General, I believe we performed like a veteran staff,” Oates stated. “We didn’t play nice, fairly truthfully, however we responded nicely to every time we’d make a mistake. We didn’t let one factor beat us the entire match.”

The hitting proportion was simply .186 for the sport, but it surely climbed slowly by the match. UNC’s greatest hitting efficiency got here within the fourth set when it hit .324, recording 15 kills and three errors.

Graduate pupil Kailey Jo Ince is happy with the staff, as nicely. She stated everybody was “scrambling” for balls to proceed performs and the general effort was excessive.

The Bears clearly didn’t take the third set, however Oates wasn’t sad. UNC obtained right into a rotation that had three younger gamers within the entrance row, which they weren’t used to.

Oates doubtless would have subbed one or two out in favor of veterans if it had been an everyday season match. Getting the youthful gamers expertise, even when it’s uncomfortable, is necessary for his or her growth.

“I assumed all of them did a great job. I assumed they performed aggressive, which is what you need them to do: to go in and act like they belong. That was our message,” Oates stated. “We stated, ‘You do belong, so play prefer it.’ I like how our freshmen are becoming in, and so they’ll present us some depth and possibly work towards a beginning spot.”

Regardless of the imperfections, UNC seemed comparatively cohesive and appeared to settle in. Freshmen hitters Isabel Bennett and Brynn Reins mixed for seven kills, whereas Ince carried the staff throughout its lulls. She had 13 kills, 12 digs and two block assists.

UNC completed with 42 kills and 9 service aces within the win. In addition they had eight complete blocks. Senior Makenzie Harris added 10 kills, whereas senior libero Michael Boon totaled 16 digs.

Ince felt good concerning the match and her teammates. She stated all 18 gamers ought to get to play this season and thinks everybody can contribute.

Moreover, Oates stated the staff’s journey to Europe this summer time helped advance its preparation. It was additional alongside in August than it usually could be, due to the additional practices and competitors.

“I believe we’re heading in the right direction. We’ve had an incredible preseason, working towards twice a day, which has been superior,” Ince stated. “(Now we have) the most effective teaching employees we may ever ask for, and there’s 18 women. Now we have depth, and we now have veteran starters who’re prepared to do that.”

The Bears will open the season formally at 6 p.m. Friday. It should host UC-Santa Barbara. They may even host North Carolina the next day for a battle of the UNCs.