Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
Iowa State
Buth and Sutherland Lead Buffs Past Cyclones
October 18, 2008 | Volleyball
BOULDER ? Seniors Alex Buth and Amber Sutherland each recorded 17 kills as the University of Colorado volleyball team overcame a powerful Iowa State Cyclone team in five sets (22-25, 26-24, 21-25, 28-26, 15-12).
“Both of our teams are definitely very even and it was a great win for us,” Sutherland said. “They are a great team. This is a great confidence booster for us.”
CU improved to 10-8 overall and are now 4-5 in the Big 12; which is tied for fifth. Iowa State fell to 12-8 (4-5 Big 12). This is the third time CU has won a five-set match this season; all at the Coors Events Center.
“I thought it was a really well played match,” Colorado Head Coach Pi'i Aiu said. “The last couple of games, everyone was hitting above .300; (game) five was a little more mistake driven, but both teams played well. I think we just battled it out. Both teams won their games right on the brink of losing them. It's a great win for us. I think we learned how to battle a little bit when we have the lead.”
The Buffs fought hard to win the second and fourth sets. CU had its back against the wall in the second set as ISU was up 24-22. Alex Penewell recorded a kill, which was followed by a Schylur Edelman kill to tie the set at 24. The Buffs didn't let up and took the next two points off a pair of blocks. Edelman and Buth put CU up by one and Edelman and Sutherland sealed the set at 26-24.
The fourth set was like the second. The two teams were tied at 23. Iowa State went ahead and had match point off a Victoria Henson kill. Henson recorded an attack error to tie it back up at 24, but ISU went to her again and she connected for another kill.
This time Penewell hammered the ball down for CU to get the score even at 25. Debbie Stadick recorded the go-ahead kill for ISU, but it would be the last time the Cyclones would see the lead. Buth tied the score with another kill and Sutherland gave CU the lead at 27-26. The Buffs would win on the next point on an ISU hitting error.
“This was one of the most intense matches we have played,” Buth said. “After the last match (against Oklahoma) we talked about being competitive and being intense, and I think we definitely brought that; even the girls who aren't naturally intense stepped it up. I just thought we played as a team. I really think the seniors took our role to the next level and I think that really, really helped.”
Sutherland recorded nine of her 17 kills in the fourth set. She also hit .364 as she had just one error on 22 swings in the frame. Sutherland hit .239 overall. She picked up her first double-double of the season with 10 digs. She also added four block assists.
“Buth and I decided to take control and we just keyed off of each other,” Sutherland said.
Buth hit .227 (17k-7e-44att) and added 15 digs. She was just shy a triple-double with eight block assists but recorded her 21st double-double of her career.
“Buth has been playing really well,” Aiu said. “She's had a great season. She playing good defense, blocking well and hitting well. She's just becoming a complete player for us.”
The last time CU hosted Iowa State, the Buffs set a school record with 26.0 blocks. It was another block party as they totaled 17.5 team blocks, which was also a season-best. Schylur Edelman posted a team-high nine blocks (one solo and eight assists), while Penewell put up eight block assists. ISU posted 10.0 in the effort.
The Buffs will be back in action on Wednesday, Oct. 22 against Missouri. The match is set for a 5:30 p.m. start in Columbia, Mo.
Big 12 Standing (as of 10/18/08 at 5 p.m.):
Team Big 12 Overall
Nebraska 9-0 18-0
Texas 8-1 14-2
Kansas State 6-2 16-3
Baylor 5-4 13-6
Colorado 4-5. 10-8
Iowa State 4-5 12-8
Texas A&M 4-5 9-10
Oklahoma 4-6 8-10
Missouri 3-6 9-10
Kansas 2-6 8-9
Texas Tech 0-9 5-15
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