Colorado University Athletics

Spikers Wrap Up Spring Training

Spikers Wrap Up Spring Training
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            The University of Colorado volleyball team is having a productive spring and is preparing for the 2008 season after finishing 6-22 overall and 1-19 in the Big 12 during the 2007 campaign.

           

             Colorado head coach Pi’i Aiu has already noticed a change in the team dynamic and has high hopes for incoming players as well as returning players.

 

            “We’ve been focusing on being a little more aggressive,” said Aiu. “Especially offensively and in the shots we’re taking, and I think that’s coming around well. We can feel a little bit of a change in the attitude and the way we’re working on the court.”

 

Aiu sees promise in the return of Amber Sutherland, a senior who redshirted for the 2007 season due to shoulder injury. During her junior year, Sutherland recorded 456 kills, tying her for fifth on CU ?s single-season chart. She was also 10th in season attacks.

 

“Amber is about 75 percent on her return from shoulder surgery,” Aiu said. “She is playing some, but we’re limiting the number of swings she can take. Her ball control is coming around well.”

           

            Melanie Naber, a freshman from Holland, Mich., graduated early from high school and has already spent this spring training with the team. Naber was an all-conference, all-region and all-state selection in high school. She is one of five middle blockers on the team.

 

            “We’re still short-handed,” said Aiu. “We have our three middle blockers out. Lauren Schaefer is still recovering from shoulder surgery and shoulder injuries are hard to come back from; it’s a waiting game with her. Schylur Edelman is also recovering (shoulder), and Kristin Martell is recovering from knee surgery.”

 

            Rosie Steinhaus, a sophomore middle blocker, is having a productive spring, and those injuries on the team could lead to more playing time for her as she filled in for Lauren Schaefer during the last part of the 2007 schedule.

 

“Rosie is having a really nice spring,” Aiu said. “She could play a key role for us depending on the injury situation.”   

 

            Despite a difficult 2007 season, the Buffs had several bright spots. The team is looking to keep building on that success. Callie Webster became the first Buff since 1995 to record 30 or more digs in a match when she picked up 33 against Missouri on Oct.. Webster earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week accolades for her performance. 

           

            In addition to Webster, Emilee Sisco had a good season.

 

“Both those kids (Emilee and Callie) had good years and we’re looking for them to keep it up and build on that,” Aiu said. “Hopefully we can get Amber Sutherland back and have a nice pair of outside hitters with her and Emilee Sisco together.”

 

            Aiu is also relying on the experience and skill of senior Alex Buth, who has performed well this spring. Buth led the Buffs as a junior with 333 kills and hit .261.

 

“She needs to have a big season for us if we’re going to make some impact this year,” Aiu explained.

 

Setter Kaitlyn Burkett will also play a role in the team’s offensive success and Aiu is pleased with her progress this spring.

 

“She is doing a nice job for us,” he said. “She needs to settle into the offense and have a good year for us this fall.”

           

            The Buffs will host Regis University and the University of Northern Colorado on Saturday, April 19, at the CU Invite in Carlson Gym. The Buffs will face off with Regis at 9 a.m. and Northern Colorado at 11. Regis and UNC will play each other at 1 p.m.