They may not have won, but the Buffs are improving.
Sophomore Megan Beckwith, 3, and junior Kerra Schroeder, 6, both attempt a dig in the second game of the Oct. 15 match against Arizona State University. Friday, both Beckwith and Schroeder had career high digs in the five set loss to Oregon State. (CU Independent/Robert R. Denton)
At Gill Coliseum on Friday night, the CU volleyball team played five sets, but eventually lost to the Oregon State Beavers 27-25, 25-20, 21-25, 23-25, 15-9.
With 22 kills and a career-high 21 digs, junior Kerra Schroeder entered the CU record books. Schroeder is the 11th Buff in history to earn a double-double with at least 20 kills and 20 digs. The last CU player to accomplish that feat was Alex Buth in 2007.
With the help of senior Alyssa Valentine, who had 56 assists and three kills, the Buffs earned their best hitting percentage of the season, .209.
On the defensive end, sophomore Megan Beckwith broke a personal record, recording a career-best 32 digs, good for sixth best in CU history.
Colorado recorded 66 total kills, matching OSU. Though the Beavers outhit the Buffs .250-.209, CU outdug Oregon State 83-65.
The first two sets were close, with CU never having more than a five-point deficit, but OSU came out the victor both times.
In the third set, the Buffs fought back. Colorado gained a 10-5 advantage right away and would hold onto the lead for the rest of the set. Even as the Beavers went on a 6-0 run late in the set to make the score 19-16, the Buffs did not give up. They held off OSU and took a 25-21 victory.
OSU had the upper hand early in the fourth set, going up 15-9. Colorado then rallied to tie the score at 17-17. The rest of the set was neck-in-neck as the score would be tied six more times. Colorado would close the set with two kills, winning 23-25.
The Buffs lost momentum in the fifth set as the Beavers pulled ahead 7-3. Colorado was unable to overcome the deficit as Oregon State took the set 15-9 for the overall match victory.
The match was the Buffs’ 14th straight conference loss, as they remain winless in the Pac-12. Colorado’s record dropped to 5-17 overall, while the Beavers are now 13-10 overall and 5-8 in conference play.
The Buffs’ stay in Oregon is not over yet. They play the No. 16 Oregon Ducks on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Eugene, Ore.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Caryn Maconi at Caryn.maconi@colorado.edu.
