Colorado sophomore Cierrra Simpson dives to save the ball as her teammates look on, Saturday, Sept. 13 in the Omni Invitational. (Elizabeth Rodriguez/CU Independent)
The Colorado Buffaloes soundly defeated the Butler Bulldogs three sets to one Saturday evening on the second day of the Omni Invitational in Boulder. A hot 7-1 Buffs squad looks to further their successes as they round out non-conference play and prepare to face Utah in a few weeks.
The Lady Buffs took the first two sets 25-22 and 25-23, working hard to edge out the Bulldogs. The red-hot duo in senior outside hitter Taylor Simpson and freshman Gabby Simpson charged the team forward offensively, as they helped lead their team to a 17-kill set. Senior Niera Ortiz Ruiz, a leader in today’s match versus the bulldogs, found herself all over the court doing whatever she could to give her team a leg up.
“I found myself just responding to my mistakes and trying to keep up with the points and get to that 25,” she said.
Ortiz Ruiz had 10 kills in Saturday’s match, along with three blocked balls.
The second set was no walk in the park, although the Buffaloes did have the momentum. Colorado found themselves trailing 15-10, their biggest deficit of the game, and after a timeout taken by coach Liz Kritza, Taylor Simpson and fellow senior Kelsey English (who has six of the 19 kill points) sparked the team offensively as they rallied to take the second set. Gabby Simpson had 31 assists in the set.
Butler had other ideas for the third set. The Bulldogs desperately pushed through Colorado’s lead and found consistency in their hitting. Senior outside hitter Belle Obert and junior outside hitter Mary Striedl led the charge. Colorado trailed most of the game and failed to close the 6-point gap, giving set three to the Bulldogs.
Set four lacked a convincing win, but had a surplus of raw fight. The lead jumped back and forth, until Colorado sealed the deal by scoring three consecutive points at the end of the set. The Buffs won 25-23, taking the set and the match. Coach Kritza alluded to wanting more, but said she appreciates the way her veteran players and younger players work together on and off the court.
“This is a long season; everyone needs to be ready. So the younger players that show promise, that show talent — they show upside,” Kritza said. “That’s why we recruited them.”
The Buffs were successful in their earlier two matches this weekend against Idaho State and Robert Morris. The three wins this weekend allowed Colorado to take home the Omni Invitational title.
Play continues Friday, Sept. 19 against South Dakota for another series, the Creighton Classic.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Elizabeth Vogel at elizabeth.vogel@colorado.edu.
