Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Wrap-Up U.S. CNT Experience
July 01, 2015 | Volleyball
BOULDER —Four Buffaloes are returning to Colorado after training and competing for 10 days with the U.S. Collegiate National Team program in New Orleans.
Seniors Alexis Austin and Nicole Edelman, junior Cierra Simpson and sophomore Gabby Simpson were all selected for the CNT with 32 other players. The 36 athletes trained together from June 21-25 before being divided up into three teams that competed in a round-robin event June 26-29. Edelman was on the CNT Blue team, while Austin was selected to the CNT Red team. Both Cierra and Gabby Simpson were members of the CNT White team.
“All four players represented the Buffs very well,” CU head coach Liz Kritza said. “The experience of being in a National Team program and wearing a USA jersey is a meaningful one that these players have worked hard for. Of the 36 players selected, to have four of them from our program is something special and we are very proud of them. Having a player on every team was a great testament to the level of play that is going on here at Colorado and it should serve as an impetus for continued improvement.”
CNT Blue defeated CNT Red 25-21, 25-20, 19-25, 25-23 in the first-place match. CNT Red advanced to the finals after beating CNT White 25-12, 25-19, 27-25 in the semifinals.
All four athletes had nothing but great things to say about the program:
"By far a great week and a half with great people. I'm glad I was able to spend it with this group of girls and train/compete with some of the best in the country!"
“Playing with the Collegiate National Team was an amazing and very rewarding experience. It was so much fun playing with and competing against the top players in the country every day and it was a great way to mentally prepare for the upcoming season.”
“I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to compete with the USA collegiate national team in New Orleans the past 10 day. I learned so much from my coaches, and just from playing with so many other talented athletes. It is an honor to be able to represent your country, no matter what form it may be in. I am looking forward to incorporating my new knowledge into my game and the gym here at CU.”
"This trip was such a wonderful experience. I learned a lot about the game and I met a bunch of amazing girls. It's not every day that you get to play at such a high level, so I am very happy that I got to experience it."
The quartet will rejoin their teammate in Boulder this week as they prepare for the start of the 2015 season, which officially kicks off at the Coors Events Center on August 28 against San Diego in the Omni Invitational. The Buffs will also Florida State (12 p.m.) and Oklahoma (7 p.m.) on August 29.
“We are excited for the upcoming season and look forward to seeing these players make continued steps towards our overall goal of a championship as we prepare for another exciting season of volleyball,” Kritza said.
Season tickets start at just $25 for general admission and are on sale now at CUBuffs.com or by calling 303-49-BUFFS. Reserved seats are $40 for the season and floor seats are available for $50. Single match tickets are also available. General admission seats are $5, reserved seats are $8 and floor seats can be purchased for $10. Kids 12 and under are free.
And don't forget about the new 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. This is a savings of over 50 percent off the single game price! You can buy your Women's Sports Pass today on CUBuffs.com or by calling 303-49-BUFFS.
