Buffs Put Up Battle, Fall To No. 7 Stanford

Friday, October 7

Stanford, Calif.

7:00 PM

Colorado

10-5, 2-3Pac-12

Stanford

10-3, 4-1Pac-12

Colorado

Stanford

October 07, 2016 | Volleyball

Box Score

By: by Linda Sprouse, Assistant SID

STANFORD, Calif. — Sophomore Alexa Smith recorded a team-high 11 kills for the 19^th-ranked Colorado volleyball team, but it was not enough as the Buffs dropped a hard match to seventh-ranked Stanford on Friday night, 3-1. Set scores were 25-17, 23-25, 25-19, 25-18.

The Cardinal improved to 10-3 overall, 4-1 in Pac-12 play, while CU moved to 10-5 overall, 2-3 in the conference.

WHAT HAPPENED: Smith led the way for the Buffs with her 11 kills, but she also added 13 digs for her seventh double-double of the season. CU had a pair of attackers, Naghede Abu and Joslyn Hayes, with nine kills, while another duo, Stephanie Shadley and Gabby Simpson, tallied eight kills each.

Defensively the Buffs had the edge over Stanford, recording 70 digs. Shadley recorded a team-best 17 digs, while Simpson added 14 digs. Seniors Kiara McKibben and Cierra Simpson each came away with 10 digs. At the net, Abu and Anna Pfefferle led the Buffs with five blocks.

SET 1: The Cardinal recorded a 6-1 start to the match before CU called its first timeout. Stanford kept the pressure on the Buffs and pulled ahead to a 16-7 advantage when CU needed to use its second timeout of the set. Colorado tried to rally and was able to bring the score within six points at 18-12, but that was the closest the Buffs would get as SU finished the set 25-17.

SET 2: The Buffs got out to a much better start in the second set, taking a 15-13 lead at the media timeout. Out of the break, a kill by Smith gave CU a 16-13 advantage, but the Cardinal answered with two straight points to cut the lead to one (16-15). The Buffs pulled back up 19-17, forcing SU to take a timeout. The following point went to CU off a Stanford attack error (20-17), and again the Cardinal used a timeout. Stanford got back within a point of CU a couple more times in the set, but CU was able to close out the set 25-23 after a Gabby Simpson kill.

SET 3: Stanford led the third set 10-6 before the Buffs strung together a 6-2 run to even the frame at 12-12. The game was tied again at 13-13, but then the Cardinal took three straight points for a 16-13 advantage. The Buffs took their final timeout of the set when SU had a 21-17 lead. The Cardinal wrapped-up the game a short time later at 25-19.

SET 4: The Cardinal used a 6-0 run to take a commanding 9-5 start in the fourth set, causing CU to call for a timeout. The Buffs fought their way back within one point at 13-12, but again Stanford pulled ahead, going up 17-12 and forcing CU to use its final timeout of the set. The Buffs tried to rally, bringing the score back within three at 20-17, but the Cardinal went on to take the set 25-18.

TEAM STATISTICS: The Buffs hit .155 with 51 kills and 27 errors on 155 attacks, while Stanford hit .250 with 55 kills and 18 errors on 152 attacks. CU recorded 48 assists to SU's 52. The Buffs out-dug SU 70-62, but the Cardinal had the edge in blocks with 18.0-10.0.

NOTEABLE: The Buffs are now 10-5, 2-3 in the Pac-12 … CU is ranked 19^th in the latest AVCA Poll…The Buffs are 170-91 all-time when ranked in the AVCA Poll… Stanford leads the all-time series between the two schools at 16-1…CU has never defeated the Cardinal on the road…Gabby Simpson's streak of consecutive triple-doubles was halted just shy of five with eight kills, 23 assists and 14 digs…Her four triple-doubles this season is tied for fifth in the NCAA.

NEXT UP: Colorado will travel to Berkeley, Calif. to face the Cal Bears on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 4 p.m. MT. The match will be televised live on Pac-12 Mountain/Bay Area.

QUOTABLE:
Jesse Mahoney, head coach
"We felt we had a good game plan for this match heading into it and we were able to execute that game plan at times. However, Stanford is a big and physical team and their block disrupted what we were trying to accomplish offensively."

"We had streaks of great play defensively but were unable to sustain them long enough."

"We need to have a short memory though and be prepared Sunday for Cal."