Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Selected Fifth In Preseason Pac-12 Poll; Abu & Smith Named To Preseason All-Pac-12 Team
August 15, 2018 | Volleyball
BOULDER—After an outstanding 2017 season, it looks like the Pac-12 Conference is expecting the University of Colorado volleyball team to have another great season, picking the Buffs fifth in the Preseason Pac-12 Coaches Poll.
The Buffs, who collected 89 points, were just one point from UCLA, which was selected fourth with 90 points. The fifth place selection is the highest for CU since joining the league in 2011. Stanford was picked first (121 points) and was followed by Southern California (100) and Oregon (96).
In addition, CU seniors Naghede Abu (middle blocker) and Alexa Smith (outside hitter), were named to the Preseason All-Pac-12 Team, marking the first appearance on the team for both. Smith, an 2017 AVCA Second Team All-American, was named to the All-Pac-12 Team after the 2017 season as she averaged 3.97 kills per set and 2.83 digs per set. A Pac-12 honorable mention selection, Abu posted 1.20 blocks per set and hit .344.
The Buffs return four starters, Abu, Smith, Gabby Carta-Samuels (libero) and Brynna DeLuzio (setter), from their 2017 team that recorded a 24-10 record and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16.
CU was also picked 15th in the AVCA Preseason Poll, which was released on August 8. The season officially starts on August 24 with the Buffs competing in the Rumble in the Rockies in Laramie, Wyo.
Preseason Pac-12 Coaches Poll Results
School (first-place votes) Points
1. Stanford (11) 121
2. USC (1) 100
3. Oregon 96
4. UCLA 90
5. Colorado 89
6. Washington 73
7. Washington State 64
8. Utah 47
9. Arizona 46
10. Oregon State 27
11. Arizona State 24
12. California 15
Preseason All-Pac-12
Naghede Abu, Colorado
Kara Bajema, Washington
Audrianna Fitzmorris, Stanford
Madeleine Gates, UCLA
Jenna Gray, Stanford
Morgan Hentz, Stanford
Khalia Lanier, USC
Mac May, UCLA
Taylor Mims, Washington State
Berkeley Oblad, Utah
Kathryn Plummer, Stanford
Alexa Smith, Colorado
Ronika Stone, Oregon
Lindsey Vander Weide, Oregon
BLACK & GOLD SCRIMMAGE
The University of Colorado volleyball team will host its annual Black & Gold Scrimmage at the CU Events Center on Saturday, August 18, at 3 p.m. Admission is free and doors open at 2:30 p.m. Parking is also free in the RG Zone lot (parking structure) next to the events center.
VOLLEYBALL SUPPORTERS CLUB
Upon the conclusion of the Black & Gold Scrimmage on August 18, the first meeting for the volleyball supporters club will take place. The idea behind this support group is to create a unique club that allows fans to get more involved with team interaction and promoting upcoming matches. For more information, email Tracy.Whitfield@Colorado.edu.
TICKET INFORMATION
Single match tickets start at just $8 for general admission and $10 for reserved seating. Season tickets start at $40 for general admission and are $55 for reserved seating, Kids 12 and under are free again this season. Fans can purchase 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.
The Buffs, who collected 89 points, were just one point from UCLA, which was selected fourth with 90 points. The fifth place selection is the highest for CU since joining the league in 2011. Stanford was picked first (121 points) and was followed by Southern California (100) and Oregon (96).
In addition, CU seniors Naghede Abu (middle blocker) and Alexa Smith (outside hitter), were named to the Preseason All-Pac-12 Team, marking the first appearance on the team for both. Smith, an 2017 AVCA Second Team All-American, was named to the All-Pac-12 Team after the 2017 season as she averaged 3.97 kills per set and 2.83 digs per set. A Pac-12 honorable mention selection, Abu posted 1.20 blocks per set and hit .344.
The Buffs return four starters, Abu, Smith, Gabby Carta-Samuels (libero) and Brynna DeLuzio (setter), from their 2017 team that recorded a 24-10 record and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16.
CU was also picked 15th in the AVCA Preseason Poll, which was released on August 8. The season officially starts on August 24 with the Buffs competing in the Rumble in the Rockies in Laramie, Wyo.
Preseason Pac-12 Coaches Poll Results
School (first-place votes) Points
1. Stanford (11) 121
2. USC (1) 100
3. Oregon 96
4. UCLA 90
5. Colorado 89
6. Washington 73
7. Washington State 64
8. Utah 47
9. Arizona 46
10. Oregon State 27
11. Arizona State 24
12. California 15
Preseason All-Pac-12
Naghede Abu, Colorado
Kara Bajema, Washington
Audrianna Fitzmorris, Stanford
Madeleine Gates, UCLA
Jenna Gray, Stanford
Morgan Hentz, Stanford
Khalia Lanier, USC
Mac May, UCLA
Taylor Mims, Washington State
Berkeley Oblad, Utah
Kathryn Plummer, Stanford
Alexa Smith, Colorado
Ronika Stone, Oregon
Lindsey Vander Weide, Oregon
BLACK & GOLD SCRIMMAGE
The University of Colorado volleyball team will host its annual Black & Gold Scrimmage at the CU Events Center on Saturday, August 18, at 3 p.m. Admission is free and doors open at 2:30 p.m. Parking is also free in the RG Zone lot (parking structure) next to the events center.
VOLLEYBALL SUPPORTERS CLUB
Upon the conclusion of the Black & Gold Scrimmage on August 18, the first meeting for the volleyball supporters club will take place. The idea behind this support group is to create a unique club that allows fans to get more involved with team interaction and promoting upcoming matches. For more information, email Tracy.Whitfield@Colorado.edu.
TICKET INFORMATION
Single match tickets start at just $8 for general admission and $10 for reserved seating. Season tickets start at $40 for general admission and are $55 for reserved seating, Kids 12 and under are free again this season. Fans can purchase 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
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