Friday, November 25
Boulder, Colo.
3:00 PM
Colorado
20-10,12-8Pac-12
3
vs
1
Utah
15-16,8-12Pac-12
1
2
3
4
F
Utah
25
21
23
17
1
Colorado
19
25
25
25
3
Senior Buffs celebrate their careers prior to the senior day match
Buffs Defeat Utah in Four on Senior Day
November 25, 2022 | Volleyball
BOULDER — The University of Colorado women's volleyball took down Utah in four sets (19-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-17) on senior day during the Buffs' final season game at CU's Events Center.
With the victory, the Buffs (20-10, 12-8 Pac-12) achieved their first 20-win season since 2017. It also marks only the 13th time since 1988 that the Buffs have recorded at least 20 victories during a season.
Utah's (15-16, 8-12 Pac-12) offense was led by senior outside hitter Madelyn Robinson, who achieved 24 kills and hit .224. Sophomore Lauren Jardine was the only other player on the team who earned double-digit kills with 15. Sophomore setter Grace Hammond earned a double-double with 48 assists and a career-high 18 digs.
For the Buffs', Maya Tabron earned a double-double with 12 digs and 14 kills with a .225 attack percentage. Setters Taylor Simpson and Brynna DeLuzio evenly distributed the offense as each Buff attacker had over five kills and the setters earned 27 and 21 assists, respectively.
Lexi Hadrych had 11 kills, followed by senior opposite Jill Schneggenburger with nine. Senior Kelley Levaggi achieved a new career-high with seven kills and hit .467. Senior middle blocker Meegan Hart earned seven kills while middle blocker Alexia Kuehl achieved five. As a team, the Buffs hit .276 on the match.
The Buffs will find out if their season continues into the postseason during the NCAA Selection Show Sunday at 5:30 p.m. MT on ESPNU.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET ONE
The Buffs took a 5-3 lead before the Utes managed to recover, taking a 15-10 lead at the media timeout. Utah took the first two points after the timeout, but a Schneggenburger kill ended the four-point run. Utah extended their lead to 21-13 before the Buffs rallied late in the set to close the gap to 23-17.
However, it wasn't enough as a kill by Megan Yett put the Utes at set point. The Buffs managed to hold off the Utes for two points before a CU net violation ended the set 25-19 in Utah's favor.
SET TWO
The Buffs came out strong in the second set, earning three kills early on to force a Utah timeout at 7-3. The Buffs maintained their momentum throughout the set though, ultimately hitting .316 during the set.
A sneaky out-of-system setter dump kill from DeLuzio caused the Utes to use their second timeout as the Buffs jumped up to a 21-14 lead. Utah pulled within five points after a CU challenge was denied at 23-17. Schneggenburger sixth match kill placed the Buffs at set point, but the Utes held off two CU attempts causing Colorado to use a timeout at 24-21.
Simpson earned her second match kill with a setter dump to close out the set 25-21.
SET THREE
The two teams kept things close early on, tied at 4-4 from Hart's sixth kill. The Utes surged to a 6-4 lead, but the Buffs responded in force as senior defensive specialist Savannah Perry strung together a five-point serving run. A solo block from Hadrych, followed by a Perry ace, put the Buffs up 9-6 before Utah brought the run to an end.
Utah quickly recovered and evened the score 9-9. Two consecutive kills from Jardine put the Utes up 13-11 and Colorado utilized their first timeout. The Buffs quickly tied things up, and a DeLuzio ace put the Buffs ahead again at 14-13. A Kuehl kill gave CU a two-point lead, and Utah chose to use their second timeout.
Utah remained persistent and a block from Allie Olsen and Hammond tied the set 19-19. Three Utah serving errors and an attack error helped the Buffs retake the lead. from A service ace from senior libero Katie Lougeay placed CU at set point at 24-21, but the Utes weren't done yet as two kills held off the Buffs.
Tabron notched her 10th kill to finish off the set 25-23 in Colorado's favor.
SET FOUR
CU and Utah started an intense fourth set by keeping it close. The two teams were tied 11-11 when Tabron's 13h kill, followed by a Hart and Schneggenburger block, gave CU their first two-point lead of the set. A Tabron ace proceeded by Schneggenburger's ninth kill put the Buffs up 15-11 at the media timeout.
A Robinson tool finally ended the Buffs' run, but Hadrych responded with a kill of her own to place the Buffs at 16-12. The Buffs jumped to a seven-point lead at 20-13 as Hadrych notched her 10th match kill. Tabron earned her 14th kill at 22-17, which caused Utah to use their final timeout.
Utah was unable to earn another point after the timeout, and Lougeay put away her second ace to finish off the match 25-17.
QUOTES
Head Coach Jesse Mahoney
On The Match
"It was a good competitive match. Utah got hurt and struggled down the stretch of the season a little bit, but [they're] super talented. Madelyn Robinson can win matches for anybody. We started off a little slow in set one. I am really proud of how we responded in sets two, three, and four. One of the things I love about this team is the total team effort. If you look at the stat line, everyone participated in the win. I am just really proud of them and proud of their season. They got better as the season went on. We'll see when the selection show comes, but I think we've done everything we need to do to move into the tournament."
On The Regular Season Finish
"I think this is a really special team, and in the COVID-era, you're seeing teams like this with kids that are in their fifth and sixth seasons. I don't feel like there was a time in this season when we felt stressed or like we had to win this one or we had to win that one. We just kind of went out and played really good volleyball, and one of the things we did well this year was that we were good on the road. We had some good road wins. We hadn't done that in some years past. That Oregon win was a little bit of a heartbreaker for us because we felt it was within our grasp. But we responded, and I think our team and our players had faith in each other. They willed themselves to the second half of the season and got better."
On What's Next
"Hopefully, the kids take a little time off and celebrate and enjoy the accomplishments, and then we'll meet together Sunday at 5:30 and see where we're headed. And then we are back to business. We might be flying on Tuesday or Wednesday, just depending on where we end up."
Setter Brynna DeLuzio
On the Match and Winning 20 Games this Season
"It feels pretty great. If it's trending that way, then our future looks bright. I think we've done a lot of work in the offseason. To see how we've done at our away games too [is rewarding]. We had our goals that we set at the beginning of this season, and to see us accomplish them, it's been really nice and rewarding. "
On Her Final Season and a Possible Tournament Appearance
"It feels great. Anytime going into the tournament, it's a really nice feeling. I think coming back, there was no doubt in my mind that we wouldn't be in this situation. Even last year, I think we all knew that we had the talent for this next season to pull off what we've done this season, and I think it's been really rewarding to see us actually do it."
Middle Blocker Meegan Hart
On Today's Game Against Utah
"It means a lot. Obviously, we want to [be in] on Sunday night, but regardless, during my four years here, going to the tournament has been our goal, and this year we really want to rewrite history and just not let the past years define us. I think it's so exciting and rewarding, finally getting the opportunity. All the hard work we've put in the offseason means a lot and it's a great way to end the conference season."
On Her Final Season and a Possible Tournament Appearance
"Last year, I knew it was no question I was going to come back for sure. We had unfinished business and it means a lot. It's exciting, me and B have been in college for a while. We've both been into the tournament before, I wasn't really playing but then it's still exciting. Then just like we said, all the hard work that we've put in, it just means a lot. Those days are just tough and [we] question this or that and [we're] getting old and all the aches and pains, but it's really worth it in the end, so I'm really proud of our team."
With the victory, the Buffs (20-10, 12-8 Pac-12) achieved their first 20-win season since 2017. It also marks only the 13th time since 1988 that the Buffs have recorded at least 20 victories during a season.
Utah's (15-16, 8-12 Pac-12) offense was led by senior outside hitter Madelyn Robinson, who achieved 24 kills and hit .224. Sophomore Lauren Jardine was the only other player on the team who earned double-digit kills with 15. Sophomore setter Grace Hammond earned a double-double with 48 assists and a career-high 18 digs.
For the Buffs', Maya Tabron earned a double-double with 12 digs and 14 kills with a .225 attack percentage. Setters Taylor Simpson and Brynna DeLuzio evenly distributed the offense as each Buff attacker had over five kills and the setters earned 27 and 21 assists, respectively.
Lexi Hadrych had 11 kills, followed by senior opposite Jill Schneggenburger with nine. Senior Kelley Levaggi achieved a new career-high with seven kills and hit .467. Senior middle blocker Meegan Hart earned seven kills while middle blocker Alexia Kuehl achieved five. As a team, the Buffs hit .276 on the match.
The Buffs will find out if their season continues into the postseason during the NCAA Selection Show Sunday at 5:30 p.m. MT on ESPNU.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET ONE
The Buffs took a 5-3 lead before the Utes managed to recover, taking a 15-10 lead at the media timeout. Utah took the first two points after the timeout, but a Schneggenburger kill ended the four-point run. Utah extended their lead to 21-13 before the Buffs rallied late in the set to close the gap to 23-17.
However, it wasn't enough as a kill by Megan Yett put the Utes at set point. The Buffs managed to hold off the Utes for two points before a CU net violation ended the set 25-19 in Utah's favor.
SET TWO
The Buffs came out strong in the second set, earning three kills early on to force a Utah timeout at 7-3. The Buffs maintained their momentum throughout the set though, ultimately hitting .316 during the set.
A sneaky out-of-system setter dump kill from DeLuzio caused the Utes to use their second timeout as the Buffs jumped up to a 21-14 lead. Utah pulled within five points after a CU challenge was denied at 23-17. Schneggenburger sixth match kill placed the Buffs at set point, but the Utes held off two CU attempts causing Colorado to use a timeout at 24-21.
Simpson earned her second match kill with a setter dump to close out the set 25-21.
SET THREE
The two teams kept things close early on, tied at 4-4 from Hart's sixth kill. The Utes surged to a 6-4 lead, but the Buffs responded in force as senior defensive specialist Savannah Perry strung together a five-point serving run. A solo block from Hadrych, followed by a Perry ace, put the Buffs up 9-6 before Utah brought the run to an end.
Utah quickly recovered and evened the score 9-9. Two consecutive kills from Jardine put the Utes up 13-11 and Colorado utilized their first timeout. The Buffs quickly tied things up, and a DeLuzio ace put the Buffs ahead again at 14-13. A Kuehl kill gave CU a two-point lead, and Utah chose to use their second timeout.
Utah remained persistent and a block from Allie Olsen and Hammond tied the set 19-19. Three Utah serving errors and an attack error helped the Buffs retake the lead. from A service ace from senior libero Katie Lougeay placed CU at set point at 24-21, but the Utes weren't done yet as two kills held off the Buffs.
Tabron notched her 10th kill to finish off the set 25-23 in Colorado's favor.
SET FOUR
CU and Utah started an intense fourth set by keeping it close. The two teams were tied 11-11 when Tabron's 13h kill, followed by a Hart and Schneggenburger block, gave CU their first two-point lead of the set. A Tabron ace proceeded by Schneggenburger's ninth kill put the Buffs up 15-11 at the media timeout.
A Robinson tool finally ended the Buffs' run, but Hadrych responded with a kill of her own to place the Buffs at 16-12. The Buffs jumped to a seven-point lead at 20-13 as Hadrych notched her 10th match kill. Tabron earned her 14th kill at 22-17, which caused Utah to use their final timeout.
Utah was unable to earn another point after the timeout, and Lougeay put away her second ace to finish off the match 25-17.
QUOTES
Head Coach Jesse Mahoney
On The Match
"It was a good competitive match. Utah got hurt and struggled down the stretch of the season a little bit, but [they're] super talented. Madelyn Robinson can win matches for anybody. We started off a little slow in set one. I am really proud of how we responded in sets two, three, and four. One of the things I love about this team is the total team effort. If you look at the stat line, everyone participated in the win. I am just really proud of them and proud of their season. They got better as the season went on. We'll see when the selection show comes, but I think we've done everything we need to do to move into the tournament."
On The Regular Season Finish
"I think this is a really special team, and in the COVID-era, you're seeing teams like this with kids that are in their fifth and sixth seasons. I don't feel like there was a time in this season when we felt stressed or like we had to win this one or we had to win that one. We just kind of went out and played really good volleyball, and one of the things we did well this year was that we were good on the road. We had some good road wins. We hadn't done that in some years past. That Oregon win was a little bit of a heartbreaker for us because we felt it was within our grasp. But we responded, and I think our team and our players had faith in each other. They willed themselves to the second half of the season and got better."
On What's Next
"Hopefully, the kids take a little time off and celebrate and enjoy the accomplishments, and then we'll meet together Sunday at 5:30 and see where we're headed. And then we are back to business. We might be flying on Tuesday or Wednesday, just depending on where we end up."
Setter Brynna DeLuzio
On the Match and Winning 20 Games this Season
"It feels pretty great. If it's trending that way, then our future looks bright. I think we've done a lot of work in the offseason. To see how we've done at our away games too [is rewarding]. We had our goals that we set at the beginning of this season, and to see us accomplish them, it's been really nice and rewarding. "
On Her Final Season and a Possible Tournament Appearance
"It feels great. Anytime going into the tournament, it's a really nice feeling. I think coming back, there was no doubt in my mind that we wouldn't be in this situation. Even last year, I think we all knew that we had the talent for this next season to pull off what we've done this season, and I think it's been really rewarding to see us actually do it."
Middle Blocker Meegan Hart
On Today's Game Against Utah
"It means a lot. Obviously, we want to [be in] on Sunday night, but regardless, during my four years here, going to the tournament has been our goal, and this year we really want to rewrite history and just not let the past years define us. I think it's so exciting and rewarding, finally getting the opportunity. All the hard work we've put in the offseason means a lot and it's a great way to end the conference season."
On Her Final Season and a Possible Tournament Appearance
"Last year, I knew it was no question I was going to come back for sure. We had unfinished business and it means a lot. It's exciting, me and B have been in college for a while. We've both been into the tournament before, I wasn't really playing but then it's still exciting. Then just like we said, all the hard work that we've put in, it just means a lot. Those days are just tough and [we] question this or that and [we're] getting old and all the aches and pains, but it's really worth it in the end, so I'm really proud of our team."
Team Stats
Utah
CU
Kills
60
56
Errors
23
16
Attempts
153
145
Hitting %
.242
.276
Points
69
71
Assists
58
51
Aces
3
7
Blocks
6
8
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
14
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
S/L
/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballMB
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH
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