The University of Colorado’s women’s volleyball team had its way with the state of Oregon this weekend, defeating both the University of Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State University Beavers. The Buffaloes’ win over No. 22 ranked Oregon was a huge upset as CU battled hard in five sets on Friday evening in Eugene.
After being down two sets to none, the Buffaloes fought their way back and gave their fellow Pac-12 competitors something to worry about. As a team, Colorado was able to get itself into more offensive opportunities by siding out at a higher percentage than their opponents.
When given the chance to score points, the Lady Buffaloes did not fall short. Senior outside hitter Alexis Austin racked up 22 kills for the evening and her co-outside hitter sophomore Gabby Simpson had 18 of her own. After falling 20-25 and 22-25, Colorado took game three 27-25.
Colorado continued to charge forward with the hopes of bringing the game to five sets, which they did after taking down the Ducks in game four, 25-23, despite the performance of Oregon’s big hitters in freshman outside hitter Lindsey Vaner Weide and senior outside hitter Martenne Bettendorf. They totaled 37 kills between the two of them.
Colorado edged the Ducks out and brought it to a close game five, where Colorado reigned victorious with a score of 15-12. Senior setter Nicole Edelman had quite the day assisting her hitter successfully 53 times, but Oregon’s sophomore setter Maggie Scott played just as well.
Later in the weekend, to end Colorado’s streak of road games, the Buffs took on the Oregon State Beavers and won in three sets, 25-19, 25-23, and 25-14. With Colorado now at 10-6 overall and 2-2 in the conference, CU found much confidence after the road trip.
Colorado led the entire time in game one as they took the win and go ahead lead of the match. OSU’s Katelyn Driscoll and Mary-Kate Marshall each had ten plus kills on the day, but it wouldn’t be enough for the 3-11 Beavers to come away with the win and they fell in a rather short next two sets.
Colorado looks to head back to Boulder for a stretch of four home games at Coors Event Center starting on Friday Oct. 9 where they will meet up with USC.
Contact CU Independent Sports Staff Writer Lizzi Vogel at lizzivogel@yahoo.com.
