(CU Independent file/Phil McMichael)
The University of Colorado volleyball team knows it’s a tough climb to the top.
The Buffs are fighting hard in every match on their way to the Pac-12, and their home-opener against Northern Colorado was no exception. CU won the 5 set contest 3-2 (13-25, 25-19, 25-28, 19-25, 15-6). After dropping the first and fourth sets, the Buffs came out with increased focus to beat the Bears in the final set.
Head coach Liz Kritza was extremely pleased with how her team performed against a veteran UNC team.
“Tonight was important because it’s our first home match,” said Kritza. “They had their first opportunity to defend their home floor, and it wasn’t against a team that it was easy to do that against.”
Returning starter junior middle blocker Kerra Schroeder finished the game with 13 kills and 13 digs. Schroeder says that this year’s team chemistry and resolve was a driving factor in the win.
“It was all about effort this game,” Schroeder said. “Never give up, never roll over and die. That was our main key for the last match.”
Schroeder was backed up by another returning starter senior Anicia Santos. Santos hit .414 with 13 kills and only one error.
Kritza said that Santos played like a seasoned player in the bout, and the support from the two other seniors, Alyssa Valentine and Lydia Blaha, made the win a true team effort.
“Seniors can make or break your team, and this group of seniors is so hungry for success, and they want to finish on a high note,” Kritza said. “They have a sense of urgency about them because their clock is ticking. They see that the program is building. They see the progress and they want it now.”
Kritza said that in every game, players will learn and become better. The team is focusing on progressing, and they feel Sunday night’s match was a strong starting point.
The Bears set the pace in the first set. The score stayed tight until the Bears broke away with a 12-8 lead. CU stayed within four points for the first part of the set, but an 18-11 UNC lead forced the Buffs to call a timeout.
The Bears continued their dominance after the timeout with a 3-0 run that gave them the upper hand they needed to eventually win the set, 25-13. In the first set, the Buffs had three errors, two coming from Schroeder. UNC had no errors and finished the set hitting .577.
The Bears once again came out strong to start the second set, but this time, the Buffs had an answer. After falling behind 3-0, the Buffs went on a run to take a 6-3 lead. The Buffs increased the pressure, but the Bears battled back to 16-15. CU regained momentum and took the set 25-19.
“I feel like every time we have server, we have the ball, we have the momentum, we get a couple points, we don’t stop,” Schroeder said. “That’s what’s really important for us because when we do stop, that’s when we have errors or we have them go on runs and that’s when we get in trouble.”
The Buffs stayed out of trouble in the third set pulling away to a 13-8 lead. The Bears came within 4 at 18-14, but the Buffs won 25-18.
The fourth set started tight with a tie at nine all. From that point on, the Buffs increased their lead, with the Buffs pulling within three. After a timeout, the Bears went on a 4-0 run and stole the fourth set 25-19.
The Buffs were ready to win in the fifth set, beginning with an 8-1 lead. UNC never really narrowed the margin, and an attack by freshman middle blocker Kelsey English sealed the deal, with the Buffs winning 15-6.
Kritza said she is happy with how her team performed and their resolve to be better.
“They’re enthusiastic, but at the same time, I’m in that huddle, and they’re saying, ‘Coach, sorry, we should have had that in four,’” Kritza said. “And they know that. That’s a very, very good sign of their accountability.”
The Buffs face the Slovenian national team on Friday, a match that Kritza believes will be a struggle, but a good experience for her relatively young team headed into a new conference.
The team said their underdog status is pushing them to grow, and surprise their competition.
“It’s good to be in that position – to be the underdog, to be the one that can sneak up and surprise somebody,” Kritza said.
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Marlee Horn at Marlee.horn@colorado.edu.
