Colorado University Athletics
CU Seniors Austin, Edelman Relish Role In Turnaround
November 24, 2015 | Volleyball, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — When Alexis Austin and Nicole Edelman play their final volleyball matches at the Coors Events Center this week, they will leave their names scattered liberally throughout the Colorado Buffaloes' record books.
Austin, a senior outside hitter from Houston, is first in kills in CU's rally scoring era and fifth all-time, and is just one of 15 players in CU history to record 1,000 kills. Edelman, a senior setter from Boulder, is second in the rally scoring era in assists and also fifth overall, and one of just five Buffs to record 4,000 career assists.
Together, they have given the Buffs a powerful, productive one-two punch for the last four seasons.
But those numbers aren't what give them the most satisfaction. Long after their careers are over, long after their individual numbers have been matched or surpassed, their legacy will be safe.
They will be remembered as the duo that helped the Buffs turn the corner, the pair that came in at the bottom and pointed the Buffs toward the top.
“More than the numbers, I gave the program fight again,” Edelman said earlier this week. “That's more important than any numerical stuff, because I think that will continue.”
When Austin and Edelman signed with CU in 2011, the Buffs were, quite simply, the worst team in the Pac-12. They made their decision to sign with Colorado at the same time CU was enduring its first season in the conference, one that produced a 1-21 record (6-24 overall) in a conference that routinely sent a half-dozen teams to the NCAA Tournament.
The question then, of course, was a simple one:
Why? Why would two of the more highly recruited players in the nation opt to take their chances at a program that hadn't seen the NCAA Tournament since 2006 and — from all appearances, at least — had little hopes of seeing a berth any time soon?
“Both of us had the opportunity go to a place and be a big name among a lot of big names,” Edelman said. “But I think it really says something to come to a place that is just waiting for success. Being able to overcome the hurdles and finally become successful is more rewarding for me than keeping a top program alive. Building something and seeing that success continue is something I'm really thankful I decided on as a value in high school. I think a lot of people overlook that opportunity.”
The success didn't come overnight. But by the time Austin and Edelman were sophomores, the Buffs had begun to turn the corner. After a 4-16 Pac-12 record when they were freshmen, the Buffs turned in a surprising 18-11 overall record with a 9-11 conference finish in their second year on campus.
In many conferences, 9-11 isn't worth much a whole lot more than a pat on the back. But nine wins in the powerful Pac-12 is a big deal, especially when one of those was a win over No. 1 Washington — only the second victory in CU history over a top-ranked team — as well as the program's first-ever win over UCLA.
That was enough to convince the NCAA Selection Committee to invite the Buffs to the postseason party, CU's first berth since 2006. They responded by proving they belonged, knocking off Iowa State in the first round of the tournament.
“That win against Washington — that's the one I'll remember,” Austin said. “That was our first really big win, the breakthrough win.”
There have been more since. In 2014, the Buffs improved their record again, posting a 20-14 overall record and an 11-9 conference mark, good enough for a tie for fourth in the Pac-12. The Buffs also recorded another win over Washington (ranked No. 2 at the time), with Austin earning all-Pac-12 honors and Edelman an honorable mention selection.
And, the season also produced another NCAA tourney berth, with the Buffs knocking off Northern Colorado in the first round before falling to rival Colorado State in an epic five-set match.
Now, the Buffs are on the cusp of another NCAA berth, currently sitting in fifth place in the Pac-12 standings with a 9-9 conference mark (17-13 overall) and two home matches remaining. Their season has included a win over No. 9 Florida State, a pair of wins over nationally ranked Arizona, a road win at No. 9 Oregon and a home victory over No. 6 Stanford. If they can produce a win over Washington State on Wednesday (2 p.m.) and Utah on Friday (noon), the general consensus is that they'll be in good shape to hear their name called when the NCAA field is announced Sunday night.
If so, it will be CU's third straight NCAA berth — a number Austin will relish.
“What most people will probably think of when they hear my name will be the kills,” Austin said. “But what I really want to be remembered as is that I was one of the girls that helped change this program. Going from 1-21 to making three NCAA Tournament appearances. I definitely want to be remembered as being part of the group that was able to come in here and change the program in a huge way.”
One person who will definitely remember Austin and Edelman in that manner is CU coach Liz Kritza, the coach who recruited them.
“When they committed, they took a leap of faith,” Kritza said. “They jumped both feet in and started pushing and pressing. They talked about a championship culture and winning, and not accepting anything less. They established that culture, and now we talk about Colorado being a place where you are expected to win and expected to perform at a high level academically. Now the expectation is to field a team to win a championship.
“That's why their impact on the program is going to be long-lasting.”
Austin chuckles when she remembers the last four years. There were the freshman growing pains, the offseason conditioning and simply the adjustment to the college life. There has been, she admits, plenty of adversity — but never any regrets.
“I've learned to grow, learned to accept adversity and the ups and downs,” she said. “I've learned that when something doesn't go my way, you say, 'Oh well, life goes on.' Once you get to that understanding, it's good.”
They've also left an impression on their teammates. Sophomore setter Gabby Simpson said the duo has left a permanent imprint on the team, one that will live on with the team long after the two have graduated.
“It's their push to win,” Simpson said. “That sense of urgency. Everyone is going to take hold of that and move forward.”
Neither of the two CU seniors has had the proper time to reflect on their careers — after all, they aren't over yet. With at least two matches left, and possibly more, they're still thinking about only what's on the immediate horizon.
But when it comes to the memories they will take with them, Edelman said she's quite sure what she'll hold onto for years to come.
“The tiny memories will go away,” she said. “But the big picture — that's what I'll always remember. I'll always be grateful for having the opportunity to help build something special.”
Added Austin: “When I look back, I know I came here for a reason. This is where I needed to be. I could have gone to a lot of other places, but here I had the opportunity to make a difference. That's been something you don't forget.”
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
