GREELEY, Colo. -- Vandal volleyball dropped a road match against Northern Colorado in straight sets, 21-25, 14-25, 13-25 on Thursday night at Bank of Colorado Arena.
Madu Fontes led the Idaho offense, totaling a match-high 12 kills, as
Ada Isik grabbed 10 digs to power the Vandal defense.
Idaho jumped out to a 9-7 lead in the first set, thanks to two UNC service errors and an ace by
Taylor Brickey. From this point on, the lead went back and forth, before the Bears pulled away, going on a 13-8 run to close out set number one.
In the second, Northern Colorado jumped out to an early 10-4 advantage. The Vandals responded with a 7-4 run to cut the deficit in half, as Fontes fired off four kills in six points to pull Idaho within three. Following a media timeout, however, Northern Colorado took control, outscoring UI 10-3, and finishing the set with a 25-14 victory.
The third set was more of the same, as Idaho struggled to keep up with the hot UNC attack, who maintained a .375 hitting percentage across the entirety of the match.
After the Vandals matched UNC to start the third, Northern Colorado scored 11 of the last 13 points to take the match and clinch the Big Sky Conference Regular Season Championship on their home floor.
Idaho will conclude their 2024 campaign in Flagstaff, Ariz. on Saturday, Nov. 23, facing off against Northern Arizona. First serve is slated for 5:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
–
