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In the release, Bears coach Lyndsey Oates said defense and ball control were areas where UNC needed to improve from the 2023 season. The team has one returning defensive player for 2024 in sophomore Bella LePore.
“We knew this was going to be a big match and we wanted to make sure it wasn’t any bigger than it needed to be,” second-year Eagles coach Jon Haruguchi said. “Play where our feet are and play together.”
The Bears had not played a match since losing to Montana State 3-2 at home Oct. 7. UNC play matches Thursday and Friday at Weber State and Idaho State, respectively, before returning home to host Sacramento State Oct. 26 at Bank of Colorado Arena.
The Bears defeated Eastern Washington 25-16, 25-18 and 25-19 with its best hitting percentage of the year, fewest number of attack errors and fewest service errors.
UNC (5-5) jumped out to a two-set lead, 25-16 and 25-13, playing for the second consecutive night. UNC defeated Omaha 3-2 in its opening match of the classic on Thursday.