Colorado
7-3,0-0
Denver
1-6,0-0
Buffs Win Last Match Before Conference Play
September 17, 2023 | Volleyball
Lexi Hadrych Ties Career High In Kills
BOULDER - The Colorado women's volleyball team took care of business against the Denver Pioneers in four sets (20-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-18) here Sunday afternoon. CU was able to add another match to the win column before it starts conference play on Thursday.Â
The Buffaloes (8-3) dropped the first set to the Pioneers (1-7), however they were able to flip the switch and win the next three sets behind an amazing performance from Lexi Hadrych.
Hadrych was a force to be reckoned with on the attack as she picked up 22 kills, matching her career-high. She was also very efficient at the net with a .613 hitting percentage which led all players.Â
The Buffs stepped up on the defensive end, racking up 16 blocks and holding Denver to just a .169 hitting percentage in the match. Skyy Howard led the team in blocks with seven while Cayla Payne and Taylor Simpson both recorded six. Howard also added eight kills offensively.
Colorado women's volleyball capped off a great weekend with the win over Denver today. The team will turn its attention to Thursday, Sept. 21Â when it will face the Utah Utes in its first conference match of the season.Â
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SET ONE:
Denver started out hot, putting together a 4-0 scoring run to take an 8-2 lead over Colorado early in the set. The Pioneers extended their lead to seven at 13-6 which forced CU to take its first timeout. Shortly after the timeout, the Buffs scored back-to-back kills, leading to a DU timeout. Colorado came within four at 20-17 on a kill from Hadrych. CU closed the deficit to just three, forcing another Denver timeout. The Pioneers reached set point following the break. They took the first set 25-20 after a kill from Cadi Boyer.
SET TWO:
The first three points of the set belonged to Colorado. Later in the set, both teams found themselves in a 7-7 tie. The Buffs then scored five unanswered points to go up 12-7 and force a DU timeout. Colorado held a comfortable lead before the Pioneers responded with a 5-0 scoring run to come within just one at 19-18. CU called a timeout as a result. Out of the timeout, the Buffs were able to achieve set point with a kill from Hadrych. Colorado then won the set 25-21 following a Hadrych block.
SET THREE:
CU took a commanding 10-4 lead relatively early in the set. However, Denver didn't back down, cutting its deficit to just two at 15-13. Tabron put an end to the Pioneers' scoring run with a kill. Lily Dwinell gave the Buffs set point with a kill before a Denver attack error gave CU the set 25-19. Colorado ended the set on a 6-1 scoring run.
SET FOUR:
A five-point scoring run helped propel the Buffs to a 7-3 lead. Colorado started to pull away a little later in the set before the Pioneers took a timeout while trailing 15-7. Shortly after, CU took its largest lead of the afternoon at 18-8. Colorado reached match point on a Denver attack error. Payne finished things off for the Buffs, getting a kill and winning the set 25-18.Â
QUOTES
Head Coach Jesse Mahoney
Opening Statement
"We always enjoy winning. After the first set where we allowed them to hit over .500, I don't think we let them over .100 after that. They essentially hit zero in sets two, three, and four. I was excited to see that kind of focus after losing that first set. A lot of really good performances individually and I think in general, a nice performance collectively. Â We got better as the match went on, which is really good to see. I still feel like our best volleyball is in front of us, which is exciting. We just have to work towards that every day."
Setter Taylor Simpson
On Connecting With Hitters
"I would say just knowing who's on at the right time. Obviously, Lexi had a really good game today. I just kept giving her the ball and she kept getting kills. I can kind of just tell who's good at the moment."
Outside hitter Lexi Hadrych
On Seeing The Court
"I think it's, first of all, they're great sets [from Simpson], every single one of them. It was so easy to find and connect with the ball. I just focused on hitting high, and wherever it was open I just hit it there."
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