It has been hard for the University of Colorado women’s volleyball team to find a groove that works for them this season. The team has suffered a substantial number of losses at the hands of some the most prolific teams in the country, in the most competitive volleyball conference in the nation. This weekend was no exception as the Buffs suffered consecutive losses to both the No.16 Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers.
Colorado failed to upset both teams on the road this weekend, falling to the Ducks in four sets on Thursday and the Beavers in five sets on Saturday. Despite the recent trouble, Colorado is receiving votes in the AVCA coaches Top 25..
The Buffs prevented a five game skid last weekend after defeating the Cal Bears at home, after losing four straight to all ranked programs. Colorado’s losses this weekend give them an overall record of 13-13 and 5-11 in the Pac-12. CU’s quest for 17 wins this season continues, but on a very thin wire. With four games left, Colorado will have to be perfect in order to accomplish that goal.
Thursday night, Colorado’s four set loss, 21-25, 25-20, 20-25 and 16-25, to the Ducks was a testament to Oregon’s power at the net. CU failed to contain the Ducks front line, who managed 60 team kills against the Buffs.
Colorado recorded only 48 team kills, including 15 from sophomore outside hitter Alexa Smith. Smith was successful on 37 total attempts with seven errors. Sophomore middle blocker Naghede Abu had a solid overall performance with nine kills, hitting .444 with only one error on 18 total attacks. Abu also had three block assists to add to the team’s nine total.
The Buffs’ struggle in the back-court was noticeable. Colorado recorded 56 digs, 21 of which belonged to senior libero Cierra Simpson. Oregon tallied 66 total digs.
Statistically, the Ducks had a much more solid performance than the Buffs, committing less errors and maintaining strong offensive control of the ball.
Saturday, Colorado endured a five-set thriller, only to come up short against the Beavers, 15-25, 25-23, 17-25, 25-18 and 13-15.
The Buffs fought back from a tough first set loss hoping to take down Oregon State for the second time this season. A late start in the fifth set, however, put them out of reach of the W.
Despite the loss, the Buffs excelled on the defensive side of the ball. Colorado recorded 77 digs to the Beaver’s 72. Twenty-three belonged to Simpson and 19 to senior setter Kiara McKibben.
CU also managed a strong block, out blocking the opposition at the net 13.5 to 10. Abu recorded eight block assists, a solo block and eight kills. Redshirt junior right-side Joslyn Hayes also recorded seven block assists.
Colorado’s offense was, once again, headed by Smith, who recorded 20 kills on 59 total attacks. She had only six errors giving her a hitting percentage of .237. The team managed 56 kills, less of an achievement than the Beavers’ 69 kills.
The Buffs look to start their quest for a 4-0 run against No. 11 Washington back in Boulder Friday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. MST.
Contact CU Independent Assistant Sports Editor Olivia Butrymovich at olbu3713@colorado.edu.
