OGDEN, Utah (Nov. 26, 2022) – For the seventh time in program history, the Bears of the University of Northern Colorado are Big Sky Volleyball Tournament champions, as they advanced past Portland State to claim the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. UNC defeated PSU in five sets, 23-25, 25-23, 25-27, 25-15, 15-6, to win the championship on Saturday.
All seven of those tournament titles have come since 2009, giving Northern Colorado an even half of the postseason trophies handed out during that time frame.
UNC has now swept the Big Sky regular season and postseason titles four times, following its run in 2022.
The Bears knocked off Idaho State, Sacramento State and Portland State to claim the title for the second-consecutive season.
Makenzie Harris led the charge for UNC on Saturday night, finishing with 21 kills and 14 digs to secure a double-double. Harris was named Tournament MVP in 2021 as well after the Bears won the tourney title. The Bears also placed Big Sky regular season MVP Syd Cole and Cece Huhn on the All-Tournament Team.
The 2022 DI women's volleyball championship selection show will be at 5:30 p.m. MT on Sunday, Nov. 27 on ESPNU.
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2022 All-Tournament Team
MVP: #13 Makenzie Harris, Northern Colorado
#3 Syd Cole, Northern Colorado
#14 Cece Huhn, Northern Colorado
#1 Makayla Lewis, Portland State
#4 Madison Friebel, Portland State
#2 Lauren Lindseth, Montana State
#2 Kalani Hayes, Sacramento State