For the second time in three years, the Bears are the defending regular-season Big Sky Conference champions.

The University of Northern Colorado volleyball program, led by longtime head coach Lyndsey Oates, has performed very well in the mid-major Big Sky.

The Bears, who reached the finals of the conference tournament last year before losing to Sacramento State, are back for a new season with plenty of new faces.

UNC opened preseason practice earlier this month and held an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday. They play an exhibition Saturday at the University of Arizona. Tucson is where the team’s 2024 season ended — in the semifinals of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.

The Bears open this season hosting their UNC Classic from Aug. 29-31 at Bank of Colorado Arena. UNC’s fir

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