Buffs Fall to Tar Heels

Saturday, September 13

Boulder, Colo.

6:30 p.m.

Colorado

North Carolina

Spikers Hit Road For A Pair of Big 12 Matches

September 13, 2008 | Volleyball

By: Megan Buckley, Student Assistant SID

BOULDER ? The University of Colorado volleyball team fell to North Carolina 17-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-27 in the final match of the Colorado Invitational on Saturday night at the Coors Events Center.

“Obviously we're disappointed going 0-3 this week,” CU head coach Pi'i Aiu said. “I don't think it's that we're doing poorly physically; we are fighting well but mentally we have a way to go. We know what we need to do, and it's just a matter of doing it and doing it in big points in big matches.

“I think we can get the team there. They're working hard and we are doing some nice things. It comes down to the big points and we don't have people making big plays for us.”

The loss puts CU at 6-3 on the season and North Carolina at 4-4.

Emilee Sisco tied a season-best with 16 kills in the effort.

“I think we need to just keep coming to practice and working hard,” said Sisco. “I think everyone is a little discouraged. Some nights are easier than others. I wasn't doing everything right tonight but it seemed like it was one of the easier nights. There are a lot of things that I need to work on but I think I fixed a couple of things in practice and I did a little better than the last two matches.”

Schylur Edelman was also productive for the Buffs with 12 kills while hitting .417. Kaitlyn Burkett hit a team-high .429 (7k-1e-14att). Lauren Schaefer posted a team-best seven blocks. The Buffs put up 24 total blocks (13.0) for a season-high.

The Buffs picked up 90 digs, the first time since November 12, 2003 that the Buffs accomplished this feat (94 at Texas A&M). Callie Webster led the Buffs with 25 digs, the 10^th time in her career that she has recorded 20 or more digs. Amber Sutherland recorded 19 digs.

Colorado is now 3-1 all-time against North Carolina.

UNC got off to a 6-1 lead in the first game. Colorado made a four point run later in the game, bringing the score to 17-24. The Tar Heels out-blocked CU 6.0-2.0.

The Buffs came back in the second game, taking a lead at 6-5. Colorado's largest lead was at 14-8 and then again at 17-11.CU put up five blocks in the second set. UNC chipped away at CU's lead throughout the second game, coming as close as 24-23, but Colorado held strong. The Buffs won the game on a UNC service error.

The Tar Heels claimed the lead early in the third game and Colorado managed to come back within one point at 20-21, but UNC took the third game 21-25.

Despite falling behind early in the fourth game, Colorado made a late run and brought the score to 22-21 on a kill by Edelman. The two teams fought for the winning point and tied the game at 25-25. The Tar Heels claimed the victory at 25-27.

Colorado will open Big 12 action on Wednesday, September 17 at 6:30 p.m. when they face Kansas at the Coors Events Center.