Buffs Fall to University United

Photo by: Andrew Borjon - Buffvision

June 18, 2019 | Volleyball

By: Shaun Wicen, Assistant SID

BEIJING – The University of Colorado women's volleyball team fell to the University United team today four sets to one in a friendly five-set match.

The University team was comprised of the best players from all the universities in the Beijing area. The team took the first two sets by a score of 25-20, 25-15, then CU won the third set 25-20. The fourth set United won 25-17 and the fifth set was taken by a score of 15-12.

Colorado had a hard time hitting today with a .106 team hitting percentage and 25 errors. Serve reception was one of the hardest areas for CU as the team let up 17 aces. Justine Spann led all Buffs with nine kills, while Emily DeMure led the team with a .364 hitting percentage with seven kills. Leah Clayton also had seven kills and a .273 hitting percentage.

Defensively, the Buffs put down a dozen blocks and Spann record 10 digs.

The Buffs started out the first set with a 3-0 run and pushed out to a quick 7-3 lead after a pair of Clayton kills. The University United team battled with a four-point run to take their first lead 13-12. Colorado was able to get a three-point lead at 18-15 but relinquished a 6-1 run to lose the lead at 21-19 before a timeout was called. The run extended to set-point after a service error, but University United was able to close out the first set one point later, 25-20.

The second set began with four freshmen starting in Kelley Levaggi, Sterling Parker, Alexia Kuehl and Jill Schneggenburger. CU found itself down early after a three-point run, but quickly got it back and the lead with four-straight points of their own. Colorado recorded their first kill of the set while trailing 7-6 with a Lillie Klemmer attack down the middle. Colorado took the lead again at 10-9 but allowed a five-point run that warranted a timeout by CU at 14-10. The United picked up the pace as they went on a 9-4 run to force a second Colorado timeout at 23-14. University United secured the win 25-15.

University United's defense was strong in the second set, forcing Colorado in to negative .133 hitting percentage with just five kills in the set while recording three blocks. Serve receive was also a problem area for the Buffaloes as United had three aces in the second set.

The Buffs have out swinging in the third set, running off a 4-1 lead and pushing it to 8-3 before University United called a timeout. United fought back within a pair at 16-14 after CU held a lead of five at 14-9. Colorado pushed back to a 20-15 lead, forcing United to call their final timeout of the set. Colorado closed out the set with a 25-20 win.

Colorado turned around the third set with 10 kills and four blocks, nearly doubling both from the second to third sets. They also held their opponent to a -.114 hitting percentage and recorded four blocks.

To start the fourth set, Colorado jumped out to a 7-4 lead with four kills that forced a University United timeout. UU committed three attack errors before the break. United rallied back and took a two-point lead at 16-14. Colorado tied it up at 17 all after Schneggenburger put down her third kill of the set, but UU rallied off three quick points to force a CU timeout. United didn't falter as they rallied off three aces to close out the set on an eight-point run, 25-17.

The game continued into a fifth set with Colorado jumping to an early 5-1 lead. UU clawed back to make it a one-point game at 6-5, but CU pushed to an 8-5 lead before the mid-set switch. United tied the set back up at 10 all with a three-point run and took the lead at 12-11. Set-point came at 14-12, and United sealed the victory on an ace.

The final set was a turnaround with CU hitting .316 as a team. The difference came in the three aces that United put down to take the win.

Colorado ends the final full day in China with a second trip to the Silk Street Market, followed by a scrimmage with Minzu University and a farewell dinner.