Colorado University Athletics
Photo by: Curtis Snyder/Joel Broida
Montez, Smith Named UCHealth CU Athletes of the Week
September 19, 2017 | Football, General, Volleyball
In a week of CU athletics that was highlighted by competition against in-state foes, quarterback Steven Montez (football) and outside hitter Alexa Smith (volleyball) have earned the honors of UCHealth CU Athletes of the Week for the week of September 11-17.
On the men's side, Montez led CU to a win over Northern Colorado on Saturday as the team improved to 3-0. He accounted for 425 yards of total offense, making him one of just four players in CU history to have two games with over 400 yards of offense. He threw for 357 yards and four touchdowns on 29 completions, all of which were career highs. Montez spread the wealth through the air, with four different targets eclipsing 50 receiving yards and scoring a touchdown. He also picked up 68 yards on the ground on his way to improving to 5-1 as CU's starting quarterback.
For the women, junior Alexa Smith helped the Buffs to an unbeaten record last weekend, averaging a team-high 4.56 kills per set and adding 3.33 digs per set. Smith opened with the weekend with an impressive performance against Xavier, registering 16 kills and 15 digs for her third double-double of the season. She also starred in CU's come-from-behind five-set upset victory at No. 22 Colorado State, which was CU's first win at Moby Arena since 1995. Smith hammered a career-high 25 kills, the third most by a Pac-12 player this season, and hit .310 while adding 15 digs for her fourth double-double this season. In addition, she served up a pair of aces and posted one block solo to help the Buffs to their first back-to-back wins over CSU since 1994.
Also nominated for this week's award: Joss Orejel (soccer) and Robyn Choi (women's golf).
Orejel scored a goal and tallied a pair of assists, to record a career-high four points in Saturday's 6-1 victory over University of Denver. Her 60th minute goal was the first of the season for the left back, as her cross from the left sideline beat the goalkeeper and went into the far side of the goal. She assisted on Tatum Barton's game-winner (47th minute) and connected with Katie Joella (62nd minute) for the freshman's first collegiate goal. Orejel was also a factor defensively, limiting DU to just seven shot attempts.
Choi helped CU to a third place team finish in the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational, placing fifth individually after compiling a 70-71-73—214 scorecard. She was a stroke below par on both the front and back nine of her opening round, before moving to 3-under after shooting a 71 in the second round. She shot a 73 in the final round to finish 2-under on the tournament. She also led the field in par-4 scoring (-3).
On the men's side, Montez led CU to a win over Northern Colorado on Saturday as the team improved to 3-0. He accounted for 425 yards of total offense, making him one of just four players in CU history to have two games with over 400 yards of offense. He threw for 357 yards and four touchdowns on 29 completions, all of which were career highs. Montez spread the wealth through the air, with four different targets eclipsing 50 receiving yards and scoring a touchdown. He also picked up 68 yards on the ground on his way to improving to 5-1 as CU's starting quarterback.
For the women, junior Alexa Smith helped the Buffs to an unbeaten record last weekend, averaging a team-high 4.56 kills per set and adding 3.33 digs per set. Smith opened with the weekend with an impressive performance against Xavier, registering 16 kills and 15 digs for her third double-double of the season. She also starred in CU's come-from-behind five-set upset victory at No. 22 Colorado State, which was CU's first win at Moby Arena since 1995. Smith hammered a career-high 25 kills, the third most by a Pac-12 player this season, and hit .310 while adding 15 digs for her fourth double-double this season. In addition, she served up a pair of aces and posted one block solo to help the Buffs to their first back-to-back wins over CSU since 1994.
Also nominated for this week's award: Joss Orejel (soccer) and Robyn Choi (women's golf).
Orejel scored a goal and tallied a pair of assists, to record a career-high four points in Saturday's 6-1 victory over University of Denver. Her 60th minute goal was the first of the season for the left back, as her cross from the left sideline beat the goalkeeper and went into the far side of the goal. She assisted on Tatum Barton's game-winner (47th minute) and connected with Katie Joella (62nd minute) for the freshman's first collegiate goal. Orejel was also a factor defensively, limiting DU to just seven shot attempts.
Choi helped CU to a third place team finish in the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational, placing fifth individually after compiling a 70-71-73—214 scorecard. She was a stroke below par on both the front and back nine of her opening round, before moving to 3-under after shooting a 71 in the second round. She shot a 73 in the final round to finish 2-under on the tournament. She also led the field in par-4 scoring (-3).
Players Mentioned
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/ VolleyballTuesday, June 23
Monday, June 22
Friday, June 19
Tuesday, June 02