Senior outside hitter Taylor Simpson goes to spike the ball against Georgia Southern during the Omni Classic on Sept. 6, 2014, in Boulder, Colo. Despite having an 8-1 record before this weekend, the Buffs found trouble in the Creighton Classic, losing all three games. (Matt Sisneros/CU Independent)
Colorado women’s volleyball experienced its first sound losses of the season in Omaha, Neb., this weekend, going 0-3 at the Creighton Classic. The Buffs managed to rally one set from the University of South Dakota and Illinois, but were swept by the Creighton Bluejays on Saturday.
Despite 19 total kills by senior Taylor Simpson and 13 closed by sophomore Joslyn Hayes, the Buffaloes’ defense was not enough to stop an even more forceful attack from South Dakota’s side of the net. With a sideout percentage of only 55 percent, Colorado allowed 51 Coyote kills through four sets. After a battle of 10 tied scores and five lead changes in the third, Colorado was unable to continue rallying and forced only two tied scores in the fourth.
Day two of the Creighton Classic went much like the first. The Buffs managed to snag yet another third-set win, although it was sandwiched between two crippling 25-12 losses in the second and fourth. No. 16 Illinois recorded 13 blocks, slightly neutralizing Colorado’s usual offensive weapons, but the Buffs surprisingly matched Illinois dig-for-dig. Both schools recorded 62 overall, with the Simpson sisters recording 39 combined. Offensively, head coach Liz Kritza commended Taylor Simpson and senior Neira Ortiz-Ruiz for their veteran contributions on the court, although their combined 33 kills was on 72 total swings.
The Buffaloes entered their final match-up of the weekend seeking redemption but unfortunately found a third disappointment. The Bluejays soundly took the match in three sets. Another standout performance came from Taylor Simpson, who put up 18 kills total. But she stood alone, only being supplemented by 16 more from her teammates. Senior Kelsey English looked to defense and added five blocks to the box score, which tied her match-best. Gabby and Taylor Simpson defended Creighton’s attack, recording 10 and 13, respectively. This was not enough to stop the Bluejays’ 43 kills of the night.
So after a six-game win streak at home, Colorado volleyball was tested. The 0-3 run in Omaha brings the Buffaloes to 8-4 heading into conference play next weekend. The University of Utah (10-1) will visit Boulder on Sept. 25. The match begins at 7 p.m. MST and will be broadcast on the Pac-12 network.
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Jordyn Siemens at jordyn.siemens@colorado.edu.
