Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Open Pac-12 Play On Road Against Utah, No. 6 Washington
September 22, 2015 | Volleyball
BOULDER — Pac-12 Conference play is set to begin this Wednesday, Sept. 23, against Utah for the University of Colorado volleyball team.
The Buffs will begin a four-match road trip, traveling to Salt Lake City for the contest against the Utes which is set for a 6 p.m. MT and will be broadcast on Pac-12 Network. The league slate will continue on Sunday, Sept. 27, as CU will face No. 6 Washington in Seattle at 7 p.m. MT.
Colorado is 8-4 after going 4-0 to win the Omni Invitational last weekend. CU defeated Montana State, Weber State, George Mason and Air Force to win its first tournament crown of the season.
Senior Alexis Austin leads the Buffs with 3.72 kills per set (eighth in the Pac-12) and is also attacking at a .264 clip. Sophomore Gabby Simpson, the reigning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week, ranks second on the team with 3.19 kills per set. Simpson was named the Omni Invite MVP after averaging 4.71 kills per set over the course of the four wins last weekend, which included a career-high 21 against Montana State.
Senior Nicole Edelman and Simpson are directing the Buffs to a .233 hitting percentage. Edelman is averaging 8.66 assists per set (seventh in the Pac-12), while Simpson is handing out 2.05. CU has had the flexibility of choosing between a 6-2 and a 5-1 offense this season depending on what is working best. Edelman is averaging 1.16 kills per set.
The Buffs rank fifth in the league in service aces with 1.25 per set. Simpson is 10th in the Pac-12 with 0.33 per set.
Defensively, junior Cierra Simpson has picked up 3.41 digs per set, the ninth best average in the conference. At the net, the Buffs are led by sophomore Anna Pfefferle, who has posted 1.11 blocks per set, while freshman Naghede Abu, is averaging 1.07 blocks per set.
Utah is 6-5 entering conference action, but is 1-3 in its last four matches. The Utes are 2-2 at home this season.
Adora Anae leads the Utes with 4.14 kills per set, which ranks fifth in the Pac-12, 77th nationally. As a team, Utah is averaging 13.07 kills per set and is hitting .216, while holding its opponents to a .193 hitting efficiency.
The Utes are fourth in the conference with 1.36 service aces per set. Tess Sutton is recording a team-best 3.56 digs per set and at the net, Brenna DeYoung is posting 1.38 blocks per set, which is sixth in the Pac-12.
Washington is ranked sixth in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll and sports a perfect 10-0 record starting league play. The Huskies face Washington State prior to Sunday's match-up with the Buffs. They lead the NCAA with a .381 hitting percentage and are second in the Pac-12 (third in the NCAA) with a .090 opponent hitting percentage.
The Huskies have the top three hitters in the Pac-12. Lianna Sybeldon leads the way and is second in the NCAA with a .508 hitting percentage. Melanie Wade is 10th (.445) in the nation and Courtney Schwan is 16th (.433). Schwan is averaging a team high 3.67 kills per set, another top ten (ninth) league mark for the Huskies.
Defensively, UW is third in the Pac-12, eighth in the NCAA, with 3.00 blocks per set. Wade is posting 1.55 (third in the Pac-12, ninth in the NCAA) and Sybeldon is recording 1.29 blocks per set (eighth in the conference, 48th in the NCAA).
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.
