Colorado University Athletics
Friday, September 30
Boulder, Colo.
8:00 PM
Colorado
vs
USC
#20 Spikers Wrap-Up Home Stand Versus #23 USC and #12 UCLA
September 28, 2016 | Volleyball
BOULDER — The 20th-ranked Colorado volleyball team will face a pair of ranked opponents this weekend at Coors Events Center. The Buffs will take on No. 23 Southern California on Friday, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m., while on Sunday, Oct. 2, CU will host No. 12 UCLA. Both matches will be broadcast live on the Pac-12 Networks.
ABOUT THE BUFFS: The Buffs are ranked 20th in the latest AVCA Poll and head into action this week with a 9-3 overall record. They are also 1-1 in the Pac-12. As a team, CU ranks 19th in blocks per set (2.84) and is 21st in the NCAA in hitting percentage (.280).
Individually, the Buffs are led by Alexa Smith, who is averaging 3.29 kills per set. At the net, the Buffs have two players posting over 1.00 blocks per set. Sophomore Naghede Abu is averaging the 22nd best total in the country at 1.43 blocks per set, while junior Joslyn Hayes is second on the team with 1.12 blocks per set. Abu ranks sixth in the Pac-12, while Hayes is 12th.
Junior Gabby Simpson and senior Kiara McKibben have been running a very successful 6-2 offense, as seen in CU's hitting efficiency which is the second highest in the league. Simpson is averaging 5.42 assists per set, but also adds 2.33 kills per set as well. McKibben is recording 6.43 assists per set, the 10th best mark in the Pac-12.
ABOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Southern California is ranked 23rd in the latest AVCA Poll. The Trojans have an 8-5 overall record and are 0-2 to start Pac-12 play after falling to UCLA (3-1) and Washington (3-0). USC is averaging 16.00 digs per set, which is third in the league. The Trojans are attacking at a .242 clip and are averaging 13.50 kills per set. At the net, they are posting 2.28 blocks per set. Khalia Lanier leads the team with 3.67 kills per set (sixth in the Pac-12), while Taylor Whittingham is the top defender with 4.73 digs per set, which ranks third in the league. Jordan Dunn is averaging a team-best 1.23 blocks per set.
USC is the only team the Buffs have not beaten since joining the Pac-12 in 2011. Overall, the Trojans lead the all-time series 12-0. CU came close to knocking off the Trojans last season in Boulder while USC was ranked No. 1, but USC rallied from 2-1 deficit to defeat the Buffs.
ABOUT UCLA: UCLA is ranked 12th in the country, according to the AVCA Poll. The Bruins are 10-2 overall this season and are 1-1 after the first week of Pac-12 action. UCLA defeated USC 3-1 before falling to Washington State in five sets. The Bruins are ranked in the NCAA's top 10 in four different categories. They lead the Pac-12 and rank second national with 18.36 digs per set. The Bruins are also second in the conference in kills per set (14.69, sixth nationally), assists per set (13.64, seventh nationally) and opponent hitting percentage (0.137, 10th nationally). Individually, Reily Buechler is averaging 3.53 kills per set (fifth in the conference), while Jordan Anderson is adding 3.16 kills per set. Taylor Formico is recording 4.76 digs per set (second in the league) and Jenny Frafer is posting 1.24 blocks per set (ninth in the Pac-12).
UCLA leads the all-time series against CU 10-2. Both of CU's wins against the Bruins have come in the last three seasons. The first win against UCLA came on Sept. 27, 2013 (3-2) and the second was on the road on Oct. 12, 2014 (3-1).
PROMOTIONS
CLEAR BAG POLICY
In an effort to provide a safer environment for fans, the University of Colorado will be implementing a clear bag policy at the Coors Events Center for all CU volleyball matches, men's basketball and women's basketball games this season (2016).
Beginning this season, fans may bring one clear bag no larger than 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches, or a one-gallon reseal-able clear plastic storage bag, into the arena. Fans will also be allowed one small clutch purse, no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
Bags that will no longer be allowed into the CEC include backpacks, large purses, oversized tote bags, camera bags and binocular cases, diaper bags, fanny packs and printed plastic bags.
For more information check out the following links: http://www.cubuffs.com/news/2016/8/14/football-cu-to-implement-clear-bag-policy-at-folsom-field.aspx and http://www.cubuffs.com/sports/2004/8/15/folsom-field-policies.aspx#permitted.
TICKETS
Single match tickets for Sept. 16 start at $5 for general admission and are $8 for reserved seats. Tickets for kids 12 and under are free.
Season tickets are also available and start at just $25 for general admission, while reserved seats are $40. Fans can purchase single match and season tickets online at CUBuffs.com or by calling 303-49-BUFFS.
And don't forget about the 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.
ABOUT THE BUFFS: The Buffs are ranked 20th in the latest AVCA Poll and head into action this week with a 9-3 overall record. They are also 1-1 in the Pac-12. As a team, CU ranks 19th in blocks per set (2.84) and is 21st in the NCAA in hitting percentage (.280).
Individually, the Buffs are led by Alexa Smith, who is averaging 3.29 kills per set. At the net, the Buffs have two players posting over 1.00 blocks per set. Sophomore Naghede Abu is averaging the 22nd best total in the country at 1.43 blocks per set, while junior Joslyn Hayes is second on the team with 1.12 blocks per set. Abu ranks sixth in the Pac-12, while Hayes is 12th.
Junior Gabby Simpson and senior Kiara McKibben have been running a very successful 6-2 offense, as seen in CU's hitting efficiency which is the second highest in the league. Simpson is averaging 5.42 assists per set, but also adds 2.33 kills per set as well. McKibben is recording 6.43 assists per set, the 10th best mark in the Pac-12.
ABOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Southern California is ranked 23rd in the latest AVCA Poll. The Trojans have an 8-5 overall record and are 0-2 to start Pac-12 play after falling to UCLA (3-1) and Washington (3-0). USC is averaging 16.00 digs per set, which is third in the league. The Trojans are attacking at a .242 clip and are averaging 13.50 kills per set. At the net, they are posting 2.28 blocks per set. Khalia Lanier leads the team with 3.67 kills per set (sixth in the Pac-12), while Taylor Whittingham is the top defender with 4.73 digs per set, which ranks third in the league. Jordan Dunn is averaging a team-best 1.23 blocks per set.
USC is the only team the Buffs have not beaten since joining the Pac-12 in 2011. Overall, the Trojans lead the all-time series 12-0. CU came close to knocking off the Trojans last season in Boulder while USC was ranked No. 1, but USC rallied from 2-1 deficit to defeat the Buffs.
ABOUT UCLA: UCLA is ranked 12th in the country, according to the AVCA Poll. The Bruins are 10-2 overall this season and are 1-1 after the first week of Pac-12 action. UCLA defeated USC 3-1 before falling to Washington State in five sets. The Bruins are ranked in the NCAA's top 10 in four different categories. They lead the Pac-12 and rank second national with 18.36 digs per set. The Bruins are also second in the conference in kills per set (14.69, sixth nationally), assists per set (13.64, seventh nationally) and opponent hitting percentage (0.137, 10th nationally). Individually, Reily Buechler is averaging 3.53 kills per set (fifth in the conference), while Jordan Anderson is adding 3.16 kills per set. Taylor Formico is recording 4.76 digs per set (second in the league) and Jenny Frafer is posting 1.24 blocks per set (ninth in the Pac-12).
UCLA leads the all-time series against CU 10-2. Both of CU's wins against the Bruins have come in the last three seasons. The first win against UCLA came on Sept. 27, 2013 (3-2) and the second was on the road on Oct. 12, 2014 (3-1).
PROMOTIONS
- Fans are encouraged to wear white for a 'White Out' on Friday night against USC.
- The first 50 students through the doors (on Friday) will receive a free ticket to the Oregon State football game on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 12:30 p.m.
- Approximately 40 minutes prior to the USC match, CU head coach Jesse Mahoney will hold a chalk talk in the upper gym on the second floor of the CEC, located behind section 3. It is open to all fans.
- The Buffs will also honor its alumni in attendance following the first set against USC.
- There will also be a post-match autograph session following the USC match on the concourse above section 4.
- CU will host a post-match youth clinic on Sunday afternoon following CU's match against UCLA. Fans are encouraged to RSVP at CUBuffs.com/VBClinic.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
In an effort to provide a safer environment for fans, the University of Colorado will be implementing a clear bag policy at the Coors Events Center for all CU volleyball matches, men's basketball and women's basketball games this season (2016).
Beginning this season, fans may bring one clear bag no larger than 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches, or a one-gallon reseal-able clear plastic storage bag, into the arena. Fans will also be allowed one small clutch purse, no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
Bags that will no longer be allowed into the CEC include backpacks, large purses, oversized tote bags, camera bags and binocular cases, diaper bags, fanny packs and printed plastic bags.
For more information check out the following links: http://www.cubuffs.com/news/2016/8/14/football-cu-to-implement-clear-bag-policy-at-folsom-field.aspx and http://www.cubuffs.com/sports/2004/8/15/folsom-field-policies.aspx#permitted.
TICKETS
Single match tickets for Sept. 16 start at $5 for general admission and are $8 for reserved seats. Tickets for kids 12 and under are free.
Season tickets are also available and start at just $25 for general admission, while reserved seats are $40. Fans can purchase single match and season tickets online at CUBuffs.com or by calling 303-49-BUFFS.
And don't forget about the 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.
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Volleyball
MB/RS
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
S/OPP
/ Volleyball
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