Northern Colorado volleyball draws No. 2 San Diego in NCAA Tournament first round

The Bears are headed to the Bay within the NCAA Match, the choice committee introduced Sunday.

The College of Northern Colorado (22-8, 13-3 Huge Sky) will journey to No. 2 seed San Diego (27-1, 18-0 West Coast) for the primary spherical of the match this week.

“I’d say we predicted both San Diego or Oregon, so (we’re) not shocked,” Bears coach Lyndsey Oates mentioned. “We knew we’d get a reasonably excessive seed primarily based on our rating, however I like our matchup. It’ll be a stupendous place to go to, and I believe perhaps among the best matchups we might have requested for, primarily based on their convention.”

San Diego received the WCC, with Brigham Younger coming in second with three losses. The Toreros’ lone lack of the season got here towards No. 1 seed Louisville.

Its report consists of wins over match groups: Ohio State, Hawaii, Pitt, and convention foes Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine and BYU.

The Toreros are making their thirteenth straight NCAA Match look and set a program report with 24 consecutive wins.

They rank No. 6 within the nation for blocks per set (2.75), No. 9 for hitting share (.290) and No. 51 in kills per set (13.61). San Diego is No. 27 for assists per set (12.89), as nicely.

UNC hosted Santa Clara (12-18, 8-10 WCC) earlier this yr, which completed sixth within the WCC. The Toreros swept Santa Clara each instances, whereas the Bears pulled off a 3-1 win.

It is going to be a tricky match – Oates and affiliate head coach Pi’i Aiu began scouting shortly after the choice present watch social gathering – however the Bears would love an upset. They’ve by no means superior past the primary spherical and would make historical past.

“We’ve numerous grit,” Oates mentioned. “We’re gonna make a run at it. It was one among our objectives from the very starting to win a primary spherical match, and now we’re right here, so we’ll see what we will do.”

UNC ranks within the nationwide high 25 for assists per set (12.97), hitting share (.274) and kills per set (13.93). Moreover, it ranks No. 44 in win-loss share (.733) and No. 56 in opponent hitting share (.179).

On a person foundation, junior setter Syd Cole ranks No. 15 for assists per set (11.09) and No. 10 for complete assists (1,287).

Ince ranks No. 97 in complete kills (396). Seniors Rachel Hickman and Makenzie Harris rank exterior of the highest 150 – so far as NCAA lists on-line – with 309 and 336, respectively.

UNC is coming off a five-set win over Portland State within the Huge Sky Match. The victory prolonged the workforce’s win streak to 14 matches, a program report.

Northern Colorado earned its second straight championship, the third in 4 seasons and it earned the fourth sweep of the common season and match titles. Plus, UNC earned its seventh title since becoming a member of the Huge Sky in 2006. The remainder of the league has 10 mixed.

Ince mentioned she believes in her workforce. It struggled in September, going simply 3-7, however went 16-1 within the remaining two months of the season. These losses stung, however she thinks the workforce grew and realized from that interval.

It confirmed resilience, aggressiveness and have become extra well-rounded en path to this huge end.

The senior class will play in its third NCAA match. It fell to Hawaii in 2019 and Washington State final season, however the depth and character supplies a chance to shock the nation.

Whatever the match consequence, although, Ince will depart the college along with her head held excessive and title all all through the report books. She, alongside along with her fellow seniors, elevated the usual for present gamers and people to come back.

“It’s superior. Three rings, six trophies later, it’s been the most effective profession right here,” Ince mentioned. “I couldn’t have requested for a greater profession and I’m grateful for UNC and this system.”

UNC will tackle San Diego at 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Particulars about tickets and tv broadcasts haven’t been launched.