The CU volleyball team celebrates after a point against Georgia Southern on Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Coors Events Center in Boulder. (Matt Sisneros/CU Independent)
The University of Colorado women’s volleyball team hosted the Omni Classic this weekend in Boulder, welcoming Georgia Southern University, the University of Pittsburgh and Portland State. After leaving Northern Illinois last weekend with a 2-1 record, Colorado was hoping to sweep their competition in the Coors Events Center. That wish came true: the Buffaloes lost only one set throughout the tournament, going 3-0 for the weekend. Junior setter Nicole Edelman was named the tournament MVP.
“Credit to Nicole, she set a really fine match tonight,” head coach Liz Kritza said. “It’s difficult sometimes when you have a mix of players coming in and out…she tries to make it easier for them.”
Saturday: Colorado vs. Pittsburgh: ( 3-1-0 )
Usual warm-up playlists blasted in the Coors Events Center. A new round of cheerleaders led a student section that grew to be a few rows strong. Chip scaled the seating areas, performing his usual shenanigans for fans under five. Colorado’s match against the Pittsburgh Panthers was likely the most anticipated of the weekend.
The Buffs clinched a convincing 25-17 win in set one despite strong blocking from Pittsburgh. Jenna Potts of the Panthers recorded four blocks, assisted by Maria Genitsaridi and Jessica Wynn. Sophomore middle blocker Joslyn Hayes stepped forward as an offensive presence alongside Taylor Simpson, recording three initial kills and two digs. Senior middle Kelsey English matched Hayes in kills and accounted for one Buffalo block at the net.
Pre-season buzz around the Simpson trinity cast a slight shadow on freshman talent Anna Pfefferle. Pfefferle started for Colorado throughout the weekend and became a major offensive force in the second set against the Panthers, where she put up two more kills and four blocks.
“That jump from the high school and club volleyball level to what we’re playing now is a huge one, but she’s a great athlete,” Kritza said of Pfefferle. “I couldn’t ask for more from a young player.”
Up 13-9 after three lengthy rallies, junior setter Nicole Edelman reverted back to her consistent outside option, senior Taylor Simpson. Simspon killed 24 points throughout the entire match. The Panthers tracked the Buffs to a three-point deficit (17-14), but Colorado ultimately proved to be the predator, documenting a 25-20 final.
Pittsburgh gained momentum in the third and contested each Colorado point up to their sixth. Colorado trailed thereafter, but ten kills by Hayes kept the Buffaloes charging. They held Pitt to a six-point maximum lead, but trailed by four come game point. Collective efforts weren’t enough to sweep the Panthers.
Strong offense by the Buffs threw off Pittsburgh’s momentum in set four, treating the fans to an early night. Colorado finished them off, 25-20. Joslyn Hayes out-hit Taylor Simpson this time around, and can now boast a career high of 13 kills in a set.
“I just have a good time, I just swing away,” Hayes said. “[Edelman] and Tay [Simpson] keep me in check.”
Saturday: Colorado vs. Georgia Southern
Predictability comforts Colorado fans, and Taylor Simpson consistently provides a sigh of relief for the Buffs. Simpson opened Saturday morning with five kills and two digs. Sophomore defensive specialist Cierra Simpson and freshman Gabby Simpson started alongside their sister and combined for seven digs.
Although Gabby Simpson is listed as a setter on the roster, Nicole Edelman still controls the Colorado offense. She recorded nine assists out of the gate after recording 24 in Friday night’s home opener. The Buffaloes struggled to close the first set, with the Eagles surviving two game-point services. A service error brought the Buffs to a 25-20 victory.
Despite five extra service errors in the second set, Colorado settled into their rhythm. Senior Neira Ortiz-Ruiz joined the game as outside hitter, recording three kills and four points. After a tied score at 6-6, the Buffs easily managed to lock up two-thirds of the match. Despite her consistency, Ortiz-Ruiz hasn’t seen much playing time this season.
Coach Kritza commented that benching such popular players is simply “a result of depth and just making sure that everybody is going to be completely ready and healthy.”
Heading into the third set, the hundred-or-so fans scattered throughout Coors Events Center seemed excessively comfortable. Leaning back in their seats and looking to Chip for extra entertainment, no one doubted an easy Colorado win. But the players continued to hype up each point to maintain the game’s energy.
“We play this sport for a reason, because we love it,” Joslyn Hayes said about post-point celebrations. “Always try to enjoy what you’re doing.”
The Eagles scraped up some excitement after an 18-8 sideout, but Colorado never allowed them to hit 20 points. Buffs fans got exactly what they were expecting: an all-too-simple 25-16 end to the match.
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Jordyn Siemens at Jordyn.Siemens@colorado.edu.
Friday: Colorado vs. Portland State: (3-0-0)
Colorado swept Portland State Friday night at an exciting home opener at the Coors Events Center.
Though the Buffs won, things got close when the Vikings tied the game 15-15 in the first set and 24-24 in the second.
Senior outside hitter Taylor Simpson put a period on set one with a kill, and the final score was 25-20. The second set became a nail-biter when the Vikings scored four straight points, leading to a Colorado timeout. The set finished at 26-24 with blocks from senior middle blocker Kelsey English and sophomore middle blocker Joslyn Hayes.
In the third set, the Buffs had a strong start, leading 20-9 and finishing the Vikings with a 25-12 win.
Looking ahead to next weekend’s Omni Invitational in Boulder and Pac-12 play, Coach Kritza took solace in the athleticism that exists in front of the attack line.
“When you have players that understand different phases of the game…it’s a luxury for the coach,” Kritza said. I was able to make some subs pretty freely.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Lisa Marcum at Lisa.Marcum@colorado.edu.
