Pac-12/Big Ten Challenge Set For Sept. 3-4

BOULDER — It's going to be an exciting weekend at the Coors Events Center with the Colorado volleyball team hosting three top 25 ranked teams for the Pac-12/Big Ten Challenge, Sept. 3-4.

The Buffs will host No. 13 Penn State (2-1), No. 17 Illinois (2-1) and No. 9 Stanford (1-1) this weekend, although the Buffs will not face the Cardinal until later in the Pac-12 season.

Stanford and Illinois will start the tournament on Sept. 3, taking the court at 3 p.m. MT. The Buffs will host the Nittany Lions in the night cap at 7 p.m., which will be televised live on Pac-12 Networks.

On Sept. 4, Stanford will again play in the first match at 3 p.m., this time facing Penn State. The Buffs will square off against Illinois at 6 p.m. to finish the challenge. Both of those contests will be televised on Pac-12 Networks.

Live stats for all four matches will be available at CUBuffs.com and the match between Stanford and Illinois will be streamed online as well.

The Buffs are led this season by sophomore transfer Alexa Smith, who is averaging 4.31 kills per set. At the net, the Buffs have three players posting over 1.00 blocks per set. Junior Joslyn Hayes leads the team with 1.69 blocks per set, while sophomore Naghede Abu is second (1.62) and senior Katelyn Cuff is third (1.23).

As a team, CU ranks third in the Pac-12, 18^th in the NCAA, with an impressive 3.15 blocks per set. The Buffs lead the Pac-12 with a .334 hitting percentage, which is also very good at 10^th in the country.

CLEAR BAG POLICY
In an effort to provide a safer environment for fans, the University of Colorado will be implementing a clear bag policy at the Coors Events Center for all CU volleyball matches, men's basketball and women's basketball games this season (2016).

Beginning this season, fans may bring one clear bag no larger than 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches, or a one-gallon reseal-able clear plastic storage bag, into the arena. Fans will also be allowed one small clutch purse, no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.

Bags that will no longer be allowed into the CEC include backpacks, large purses, oversized tote bags, camera bags and binocular cases, diaper bags, fanny packs and printed plastic bags.

For more information check out the following links: http://www.cubuffs.com/news/2016/8/14/football-cu-to-implement-clear-bag-policy-at-folsom-field.aspx and http://www.cubuffs.com/sports/2004/8/15/folsom-field-policies.aspx#permitted.

PROMOTIONS
There are a couple exciting promotions happening for the Pac-12/Big Ten Challenge. The first 300 fans for the Penn State/CU match on Sept. 3 will receive a free commemorative CU Volleyball 30th anniversary t-shirt. The Buffs will sign autographs after the match.

On Sept. 4, the Buffs will sign autographs following the match on the concourse above section 4. The first 150 fans in line will get a free mini-volleyball.

TICKETS
Single match for the Pac-12/Big Ten Challenge start at $8 for general admission and $12 for reserved seats. Tickets for kids 12 and under are still free.

Season tickets are also available and start at just $25 for general admission, while reserved seats are $40. Fans can purchase single match and season tickets online at CUBuffs.com or by calling 303-49-BUFFS.

And don't forget about the Women's Sports Pass. For just $125, the Women's sports pass gives you general admission seating for all volleyball, soccer and women's basketball home games.

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Players Mentioned

Naghede Abu

Katelyn Cuff

Joslyn Hayes

Alexa Smith