Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
Loyola Marymount
Spikers Split at LMU
September 06, 2002 | Volleyball
Sixth year head coach Pi'i Aiu became the second Colorado volleyball coach in program history to record his 100th career victory when the Buffaloes (2-4) beat Notre Dame University 30-25, 30-24, 30-26 Saturday in their second match of the Loyola Marymount University Classic at the Gersten Pavillion here in Los Angeles, Calif. Colorado fell to Loyola Marymount (5-1) 22-30, 27-30, 18-30 in their final match of the weekend to finish the tournament 2-1 and enter home competition with a 2-4 standing.
"I think we played pretty well overall this weekend except for tonight's match," Aiu said. "Our ball control went way down tonight against LMU, and we're going to have to work on that if we are going to finish where we want to in the Big 12."
The M&M connection composed of senior middle Meghan Barkman and junior middle blocker Monique Gerlach led the Buffs against Notre Dame as they both recorded double-figures in kills. Barkman hit .500 in the match, recording 12 kills and seven digs, while Gerlach paced the Buffs with match-highs in kills with 13 and hitting percentage with .550 mark on the afternoon. Freshman Nicole Carr came up big for the Buffs on defense as her 10 digs led CU.
Colorado registered nine team blocks to the Fighting Irish's four, while CU hit .274 as a team and NDU hit .180 overall.
In the second match of the day, senior setter Elizabeth Gower took on a more offensive role towards the end of the second game, with sophomore Allison Barnes sharing setting duties, but Gower's match-high 12 kills against LMU weren't enough for the Buffs to prevail. Gower hit a match-high .579 on the night and her 21 assists gave her the only double-double of the match. Carr once again led Colorado with 11 digs on the night as she has now pocketed double-figures in digs in three consecutive matches and in five of six total contests.
The Buffs will now return to Boulder to open the regular season at home against Colorado State University on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. at the Coors Events/Conference Center before they host the PowerBar Invitational Sept. 13-14 when they host Maine, Texas-Arlington, and Bowling Green.
