Smith Paves Way to Sweep Against Indiana State

Saturday, September 15

Boulder, CO

10:00 AM

Colorado

7-3

Indiana State

6-5

Indiana State

Colorado

Photo by: Tim Benko, Benko Photographics

September 15, 2018 | Volleyball

Box Score

By: Shaun Wicen, Assistant SID

BOULDER, Colo. — Whether it was excitement on getting to 1,000 career kills or just picking the opponent apart, the University of Colorado volleyball senior Alexa Smith had herself a morning. The senior had matched a career-high in three-set match kills with 19 as she led the Buffs to the sweep (25-16, 25-18, 25-23) against Indiana State University. Smith needs just a pair of kills to become the 16^th Buff to do so, and will look to accomplish the feat against in-state rivals Colorado State tonight at 8 p.m.

Smith was on a roll this morning, averaging more than six kills per set. Her 19 kills in a three-set match ties her own career-record in a sweep, something she did her sophomore year against Long Beach State. The senior was errorless through the first two sets, finishing the match with just three errors and a season-high .471 hitting percentage. She also had her third double-double of the season with a team-high 12 digs.

Also for the Buffs, Justine Spann and Naghede Abu each added nine kills. Abu, who hit .438 in the match, had a pair of blocks, while Spann had 10 digs. Spann was just a kill away from her second double-double of the season.

The setters Brynna DeLuzio and Jenna Ewert were on-point with 23 assists each. The duo helped lead the Buffs to its first 20-kill set of the season, as well as 17 kills in each of the other sets. The 15.33 assists per set the two combined for is by far a season-high.

On the defensive side of the ball, Danielle Price and Lauren Dorrell each had four block assists to lead Colorado. Price also went four-for-five in kills today with a .800 hitting percentage.

Tonight's matchup with the Rams looks to be a good one, as the teams come in with nearly identical records. Fans are encouraged to 'Wear Black' tonight in support of the Buffs.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

SET 1: The Buffs jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead, led by Alexa Smith with three early kills. While Colorado continued to hit well at .467, the teams traded points to 11-8. The Sycamores battled back to trail just 13-12. Smith continued to pick apart Indiana State, hitting multiple kills down the left line to find an 18-14 lead. The Buffs continued to charge to a 20-15 lead, forcing a Sycamore timeout. Smith continued to dominate, putting down her sixth kill of the set to force the break. Set-point would come on a Justine Spann kill, and the set was finished off by a Spann kill in a 25-16 win. The Buffs continued to hit well in opening sets with a .371 hitting percentage. Brynna DeLuzio dished out nine assists, while Smith had six kills and no errors while hitting .600.

SET 2: The teams started off with a tie at 3-3, with CU giving up its first lead at 4-3. Indiana State continued to lead to a 7-5 lead, but Alexa Smith kept charging with her ninth kill of the match to bring it within one. She would hit double-digits in kills while bringing the set to a tie at nine apiece. The Sycamores retook the lead and ran to a 15-12 lead, but CU rallied back with Naghede Abu picking up her sixth kill and Smith tying it with her 11^th kill. The Buffs took hold of the set with a 19-16 lead, forcing a Sycamore timeout. CU hit set-point at 24-18, finishing it off with a Gabby Carta-Samuels ace.

SET 3: Indiana State came out with consecutive blocks and a 5-2 lead. CU continued to trail at 8-5, but Alexa Smith brought the charge back with her 14^th kill of the set, just seven away from 1,000 career kills. The teams battled to a 15-14 CU lead, led by Smith who picked up a double-double with 17 kills and 10 digs. CU hit match-point at 24-21, finishing off the set with a service error at 25-23. Smith closed out with 19 kills, just a pair of kills from 1,000 career kills.

QUOTABLES:
Head Coach Jesse Mahoney

On the match and how the team played:
We are happy to get a sweep anytime we play anybody. Indiana State is a very good team. Both teams had a very quick turnaround, which is always hard, sometimes physically but mostly mentally to be out there and play a match. There were times we lost focus and didn't play as well as we could, but we certainly did a lot of things well. I thought Lex had a great match and Naghede and Danielle got involved a little more which was good. The nice about our team is maybe some people have an off-matches offensively, but we have other people that are going to be on during those times and we just need to ride the right players at the right times.