Volleyball To Celebrate 2014 Season
BOULDERGÇö The University of Colorado volleyball team is going to celebrate its amazing 2014 season on Saturday, Dec. 13, with its annual banquet in the Folsom Field East Side Stadium Club.
The banquet, which starts at 11:30 a.m., will also celebrate the Buffaloes four seniors: Kelsey English, Rachel Hargis, Neira Ortiz Ruiz and Taylor Simpson. Anyone who would like to attend can register online at http://buffs.me/1yzRcEi.
CU finished the year with a 20-14 record, its most wins since 2003 (21), and was 11-9 in the Pac-12, which tied for fourth with perennial volleyball powerhouses UCLA and Oregon. The Buffs advanced to their 18th overall NCAA Tournament in 2014, its second consecutive tournament, and made it to the second round.
Colorado pulled off five regular season wins against ranked opponents in 2014. The Buffs defeated Arizona and Washington at home and garnered victories against UCLA, Arizona and Arizona State on the road. The Buffs were the first team this season to defeat Washington, doing so for the second straight year. CU also finished the season with a 9-5 nonconference record, marking its 26th straight season above .500.
The Buffs entered the AVCA Division I Coaches Poll for the first time since 2005 this season. They were ranked as high as 18th and have been as low as 22nd.
Individually, a couple of the Buffs broke long-standing CU records. Senior Taylor Simpson hammered 591 kills throughout the season to break CUGÇÖs senior single season record from 1997 (486) and the overall single season record (518). She also recorded 20 or more kills in 10 matches this year, breaking the previous CU record of nine matches.
Sophomore Cierra Simpson became the first Buff to record 500 or more digs in a season, ending with 519. She broke the previous overall record from 1998 (490), as well as the sophomore record (428).
Several Buffs were honored for their performances on the court. Taylor Simpson and Alexis Austin were named to the All-Pac-12 Team, while Anna Pfefferle and Gabby Simpson earned Pac-12 Freshman honorable mention team status. Taylor Simpson also earned AVCA All-Pacific South Region honors.
Off the court, a trio of Buffs were recognized for their academic performances. Nicole Edelman, Kelsey English and Cierra Simpson were named to the Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention teams.
Several more awards will be handed out at the banquet on Saturday.