Buffs Close Out Non-Conference Slate With Omni Invitational

BOULDER — With just one weekend remaining before the Pac-12 Conference volleyball schedule begins, the University of Colorado will host the Omni Invitational, Sept. 18 and 20, at the Coors Events Center.

In the final tune-up prior to the conference slate, CU will host four opponents: Montana State, Weber State, George Mason and Air Force. The Buffs will play two matches on Friday, starting with a 2 p.m. contest against MSU and at 7 p.m., CU faces WSU. The Buffs will not play on Saturday, Sept. 19 due to the CU football game against Colorado State, but they will be back in action on Sunday for a pair of matches. GMU will play CU at 9 a.m. and at 7 p.m., the Buffs will host AFA. The latter match will be televised live on Pac-12 Network. Chris Marlowe will call the match, while Elizabeth Moreau will provide the color.

CU will have its first 'lights out' introduction during Friday's 2 p.m. match against the Bobcats. The house lights will be off for the first time for the Buffaloes starting line-up (this is the first for any team at CU). Friday night (7 p.m.) against Weber State, there will be a ticket raffle. Two lucky fans will win tickets to the Rocky Mountain Showdown between CU vs. CSU at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver on Saturday.

The Buffs will host a clinic on Saturday before the match against Air Force. Kids 12 and under can join the Buffs and CU's coaches for a free clinic at 5:30 p.m. Parents can register their kids by emailing cupromos@colorado.edu.

Colorado is 4-4 after going 2-1 last weekend at the Rice Adidas Invitational. CU swept Sam Houston State and Louisiana-Lafayette before falling to Rice in four sets.

Senior Alexis Austin leads the Buffs with 4.27 kills per set (fourth in the Pac-12) and is also attacking at a .265 clip. Five other Buffs are averaging over 1.00 kills per set: sophomore Gabby Simpson (2.45), sophomore Anna Pfefferle (1.97), senior Nicole Edelman (1.20), junior Katelyn Cuff (1.14) and freshman Naghede Abu (1.14).

Edelman and Simpson are directing the Buffs to a .214 hitting percentage. Edelman is averaging 7.97 assists per set (ninth in the Pac-12), while Simpson is handing out 2.86.

Defensively, junior Cierra Simpson has picked up 3.37 digs per set, the 10th best average in the conference. At the net, the Buffs are led by Abu, who has averaged 0.93 blocks per set. Pfefferle ranks second with 0.77 blocks per set.

Montana State is 2-4 this season and has lost its last three straight matches heading into the weekend. Earlier this season, MSU lost a four set match to Sam Houston State, a team the Buffs swept last weekend. Loni Kreun is averaging a team-best 3.39 kills per set, while the team is recording 12.45 kills per set. The Bobcats are hitting .166, while their opponents are attacking at a .195 clip. Kasey Altman is picking up a team-high 4.68 digs per set and Kiana Black has a team-best 0.90 blocks per set.

Weber State has a 3-5 record this season. The Wildcats started with three consecutive losses, before winning three in-a-row. After those wins, WSU lost another two straight. Three Wildcats are averaging over 2.00 kills per set. Amanda Varley leads the way with 2.97 and is followed by Tanisha Langston (2.55) and Megan Thompson (2.52). WSU is holding its opponents to a .148 hitting efficiency, while attacking at a .175 clip. Thamire Cavalcanti is recording 4.97 digs per set to lead the defense. At the net, three Wildcats are posting over 1.00 blocks per set: Thompson (1.52), Anne Corrigan (1.18) and Langston (1.00).

George Mason is 5-6 entering the invitational and is 1-4 in the last five contests. The Patriots have three players averaging over 2.00 kills per set with Morghan Martin (2.82), Mara Barkley (2.33) and Tiffany Clarke (2.28). GMU is hitting .180 and its opponents are hitting slightly better at .194. Montana Green and Caitlyn Hipsher are both averaging 8.35 assists per set. Erica Partridge leads the defense with 2.93 digs per set. Lola Owokoniran has a team-best 1.38 blocks per set this season and Clarke is adding 1.15.

Air Force enters the weekend with a 4-7 record, but has won three of its last four matches. CU is the third Pac-12 team the Falcons will face this season and they are already 1-1 against the league. AFA was swept by No. 10 Arizona State during the opening week of the season and just last weekend, the Falcons defeated California in five sets. Akokwe Clement is the team's top attacker, averaging 3.98 kills per set; she also adds 0.39 service aces per set. As a team, the Falcons are attacking at a .197 clip, while their opponents are hitting .244. On defense, Rebecca Bates is averaging 3.34 digs per set and at the net, Taylor Parker is posting 0.98 blocks per set.

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.