Spikers Having Productive Spring Season

BOULDER? The University of Colorado Volleyball team is hosting both the University of Denver and the University of Northern Colorado in the CU Spring Tournament this weekend at the Coors Events Center as part of their spring practice.

Colorado head coach Pi’i Aiu has liked what he has seen this spring from his players, including sophomore Kaitlyn Burkett and how she’s handling the setter position vacated by the graduation of Ashley Nu’u. “It’s much harder for us (the coaching staff) to replace Ashley, then it is for Kaitlyn. That’s because Ashley had four years of experience in our system. She knew what to look for, she knew what works. This is Kaitlyn’s first year and she is picking it up quickly. She’s really doing a good job communicating with the team and we should be good next season,” Aiu said.

When asked to describe the spring practices Aiu responded, “The big thing for us was to get different people more touches. Partially by design and partially forced. We wanted Kaitlyn to get a lot of touches because she doesn’t have a lot of experience as a college setter. Kelsey Loop and Mallori Gibson both have been getting a lot of reps this spring, Mallori has been getting a lot of reps passing and these extra touches are great for the team. Callie Webster and Kristen Karlik have been going through some injuries so Therese Vi?al and Ashley VenHorst have been getting extra reps and defensive specialist time and it’s just really good for the team in the long run.”

Karlik, is expected to be Colorado’s libero for the second consecutive season, but she will have a lot of defensive help as CU has four experienced defensive specialists. The depth at the position is important according to Aiu. “Having numerous defensive specialists really helped us a lot this spring, both by design and due to injury,” he explained. “We have four defensive specialists and we have two and a half healthy this spring.”

One player that has been sitting out the spring practices is Amber Sutherland who is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. “She (Amber Sutherland) hasn’t done anything volleyball related yet this spring. Rehab for a shoulder is a long process, it is going well, but we miss her on the floor.”

One player who has really stuck out this spring to Aiu is VenHorst. “Ashley VenHorst has done an outstanding job in practice,” he said. “She really brings a high level of energy, motivation and hustle; all of the things you want to see from your players.”

Finally, Aiu was encouraged by the play of one of the incoming freshman and a pair of returning players. “(Kristen) “Rosie” Steinhaus has really done well this spring, she got in here early and it has really helped both herself and us as a team. She should still be a high school senior, but she is doing really well.

“Mallori Gibson and Lauren Schaefer are coming back and looking really good, Lauren is coming off of offseason surgery and is looking really good.” Aiu said when asked about other pleasant surprises this spring.

The Buffs will be playing two scrimmages against Denver on Saturday at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and then two more against Northern Colorado at 12 and 3 p.m.

Colorado University Athletics