Buffs Look To Get Back On Track At Rice Adidas Invitational

BOULDER — After a grueling weekend at the Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge, the University of Colorado volleyball team is looking to get back on the winning track at the Rice Adidas Invitational, Sept. 11-12, in Houston.

On Friday, Sept. 11, the Buffs play Sam Houston State at 3 p.m. MT. CU will play a pair of matches on Saturday, Sept. 12, starting at 11:30 a.m. MT against Louisiana-Lafayette, and at 6 p.m. MT, the Buffs play Rice. Only the match against Rice will be streamed and will be available for a small fee. Live stats for all three matches will be free at RiceOwls.com.

The Buffs, who are ranked 23rd in the latest AVCA Poll, are 2-3 after losing a pair of matches to top-ranked Penn State (3-0) and to then-No. 6 Illinois last weekend.

Senior Alexis Austin leads the Buffs with 4.15 kills per set (sixth in the Pac-12) and is also attacking at a .237 clip. Four other Buffs are averaging over 1.00 kills per set: sophomore Gabby Simpson (1.89), sophomore Anna Pfefferle (1.70), senior Nicole Edelman (1.55) and freshman Naghede Abu (1.16). Edelman and Simpson are also directing the Buffs to a .187 hitting percentage. Edelman is averaging 6.30 assists per set, while Simpson is handing out 4.16.

Defensively, junior Cierra Simpson has picked up 3.45 digs per set. At the net, the Buffs are led by Abu, who has averaged 0.89 blocks per set.

Sam Houston State enters the weekend with a 4-3 record and are led by Brooke White, who is averaging 3.24 kills per set. Jordyn Vaughn is second on the team with 3.08 kills per set. The Bearkats are hitting .179 with Michelle Griffith handing out 9.38 assists per set; they are holding their opponents to a .153 hitting efficiency. SHSU's defense is led by Claire Kilpatrick with 4.85 digs per set. At the net, Amanda Gooch is averaging 0.67 blocks per set.

Louisiana-Lafayette has a 2-5 record after the first two weekends. Sara Mossakowski is recording 2.71 kills per set, while Chanelle Gardner is averaging 2.59 kills per set. The Ragin Cajuns are hitting .148, while their opponents are attacking at a .219 clip. Jessica Bartczyszyn is averaging 8.07 assists per set for ULL. Defensively, Syndey Davis is picking up 3.07 digs per set, while Gardner is the team leader at the net with 0.78 blocks per set.

Rice, the tournament host, has a 5-2 record to start the season. A pair of Owls are averaging over 3.00 kills per set: Leah Mikesky (3.45) and Chelsey Harris (3.48). As a team, RU is hitting .254 and are holding its opponents to a .213 hitting percentage. Kimberly Vaio is averaging a team-best 3.69 digs per set and McKay Kyle is posting 0.90 blocks per set for the Owls.

Season tickets for the Buffs' home matches can still be purchased and start at just $25 for general admission. Reserved seats are $40 for the season. New this year is the Volleyball VIP Package which gives fans a reserved seat, access to VIP parking, pre-match chalk talks with the coaches, special entrance access and admission the volleyball banquet. These are available for $500. Fans interested in the VIP Package, please call 303-492-8130.

Single match tickets are also available. General admission seats are $5 and reserved seats are $8. Kids 12 and under are free. During the non-conference portion of the schedule, fans can receive a free bag of popcorn at each contest.

Fans can also purchase the Women's Sports Pass, which is new this season and supports women's basketball, soccer and volleyball. For just $125, over 50 percent off the single game box office price for those three sports, the Women's Sports Pass allows for seating in general admission areas at each venue for three of the most successful programs at CU. Once you purchase the pass, you will be mailed season tickets for all three sports.