Buffaloes Sweep UCLA for Third-Straight Win

Wednesday, November 21

Los Angeles, CA

2:00 PM

Colorado

18-12, 10-9Pac-12

UCLA

13-13, 8-11Pac-12

Colorado

UCLA

Photo by: Gary Breedlove

November 21, 2018 | Volleyball

Box Score WATCH: Justine Spann on Pac-12 Network

Abu breaks school record in career blocks

By: Shaun Wicen, Assistant SID

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The University of Colorado women's volleyball team took care of business Wednesday afternoon, completing the first-ever road sweep (25-20, 25-15, 26-24) in Los Angeles against UCLA as senior Naghede Abu broke the school record in career blocks.

With the win, the Buffs improve to 18-12 overall with a 10-9 record in the Pac-12. Colorado has won three-straight in the Pac-12, marking the first time in school history that they have won three-straight road matches in the conference since joining in 2011. UCLA, who was ranked all season long except for this week, drops to 13-13 with an 8-11 record in conference play.

"Really well played match by us especially offensively," said coach Jesse Mahoney. "Was a win we needed as the tournament at-large field is being set. Another win at Utah would cement our chances and we are looking to finish the Pac-12 season off strong."

The Buffaloes were in command throughout the match, hitting greater than .300 for the eighth time this season. The second set was one of the most dominant this season with the team hitting .457 with just a single attack error, the third such occasion this season.

The offense was run near flawlessly by freshman setter Jenna Ewert. Coming off a career-high 60 assists, Ewert put up another career-high with 13.66 assists per set, nearly two more assists per set than her past record. She also was four-for-five in kills per attempt, had seven digs and put down a block and ace.

"This was Jenna's best match of the season," added Mahoney. "She's been building all year to play at this level and I'm happy she's starting to break through."

Junior Justine Spann had herself a game with a match-high 17 kills and a .368 hitting percentage. Through the first two sets she had 14 kills and 26 errorless swings but was a victim of UCLA's four blocks in the third to bring her hitting percentage down. She was joined by Anyse Smith who had 11 kills and a .400 hitting percentage. Spann also finished with a double-double with 11 digs.

"Justine had her best match of the season - low error, great passing and elite defending," said Mahoney. "When we have another efficient option on the pin we can be tough to handle for opposing defenses."

On the defensive side, Alexa Smith was targeted early and often but was an anchor in the backrow with 16 digs. She tied Rachel Whipple for the team-high mark but was limited to just nine kills.

Abu tied the mark for the school record in blocks with her first in the second set, then took over the record in the third. She finished with four total blocks, three of which came in the final act. She now has 568 blocks, passing Meghan Barkman. She sits alone with the most solo blocks, block assists and total blocks in school history.

Colorado held the Bruins to a .219 hitting percentage. Emily Ryan was the team leader in kills with 10 and a .400 hitting percentage, while Madeleine Gates had eight kills on 18 errorless attempts for a .444 hitting percentage.

The Buffs head to Utah where the team will celebrate Thanksgiving before taking on the Utes Friday at noon for the regular season finale. Utah takes on No.15-ranked USC this afternoon at 4 p.m. MT in Southern California.