Buffs Beat Minzu 2-1 in Opening Match

BEIJING – It was a gorgeous morning in Beijing where the University of Colorado women's volleyball team were introduced at the opening ceremonies of the 2019 China-U.S. University Women's Volleyball Friendship Game and defeated Minzu University two sets to one.

Colorado played a three set match with international rules that allowed just 14 players to play per set and six total substitutions. Another added rule was the liberos weren't allowed to serve and two were allowed to dress. The Buffs took the first set by a score of 25-17 before dropping the second in a close 25-22 battle. The third set Colorado dominated 25-18 to seal the win.

Numerous Buffaloes made their first career start in the black and gold, led by redshirt junior Leah Clayton. The former Big South Player of the Year had a match-high 10 kills while hitting .300. She also added an ace and solo block to lead the team with 12 points in just two sets played.

Redshirt sophomore Danielle Price had a good day as well, hitting .545 with seven kills. She was a part of three blocks in her two sets played.

The Buffs began the first set strong with a 3-0 start before falling behind 7-4. With some adjustments to the receive, Colorado rallied off eight points en route to a 12-7 lead.

Minzu put together four-straight points before a service error gave the Buffaloes set-point at 24-17. CU sealed the set win with a Justine Spann kill one play later.

Clayton was a star of the first set with numerous kills and digs. Minzu struggled mightily to deal with the size and speed of Colorado, leading to a pair of blocks for the Buffs.

In the second set the Buffaloes rolled out several new players with Sterling Parker, Jill Schneggenburger, Meegan Hart and Kelley Levaggi starting. Colorado fell down 6-3 in the set but the Buffs tied it up 10-10. Minzu continued to push the pace to 17-14, forcing Colorado into a timeout. CU tied it up at 18 all but Minzu pushed to a 22-18 lead and continued to a 24-20 set-point. The team closed it out 25-22.

Alexia Kuehl and Schneggenburger had a strong showing in their first sets in a CU jersey. Kuehl had a pair of blocks and kills, while Schneggenburger had four kills and an ace.

In the third set, Price took over with four kills and a .600 hitting percentage, while Clayton had five and a .444 hitting percentage. The Buffs had five blocks in the set and took over with 17 kills while allowing only nine.

As a team the Buffs hit .323 in the game, including over .500 in the third set. A dozen different CU players recorded kills and 10 recorded digs. Schneggenburger finished with six errorless kills on 10 swings for a team-high .600 hitting percentage. As a team Colorado had 10 total blocks.

Following the match the Buffs headed to Tian' Anmen Squad and The Imperial Palace for some site seeing. Tomorrow the squad will head to The Great Wall of China in the morning and finish the day visiting the National Stadium and National Aquatics Centre from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Colorado has also been invited to watch the Finals of China University Basketball Association on Sunday and will resume volleyball action on Tuesday with a match against the Chinese National University Women's Volleyball team.

For more information and following along Colorado's journey through China head to @cubuffsvb on Instagram. The Buffaloes will also take over the @ncaavolleyball account Tuesday June 18^th beginning with action at the Silk Market and closing late with the match on Tuesday night.

Players Mentioned

Leah Clayton

Meegan Hart

Alexia Kuehl

Kelley Levaggi

Sterling Parker

Danielle Price

Jill Schneggenburger

Justine Spann

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