CU Block Propels Buffs Past Fairfield
NEW HAVEN, Conn.— The University of Colorado volleyball team recorded a season-high 18 block assists as it swept Fairfield University (29-27, 25-20, 25-19) at the Yale Invitational on Friday.
“We will take this win and know that we escaped tonight with some less than perfect play and use that as a springboard to continually improve,” Colorado Head Coach Liz Kritza said. “Regardless of who is on the other side of the net, our focus as a team must be on continual improvement and this young team is learning that approach to playing volleyball. “
Freshman Nikki Kinzer led CU with six block assists while Kerra Schroeder put up five. Rosie Steinhaus got in on the action with four and Alex Penewell added three.
“As a team, blocking was a highlight tonight,” said Kritza. “Coaches stressed improvement in blocking systems and it was apparent tonight, which we will continue to seek improve in as we move forward. It is good to see practice transfer to competition in this area though.”
The Buffs, who improved to 2-2 overall, were using a different look than they had the previous matches with senior Kaitlyn Burkett back in her traditional role of setter. Penewell was also making her first start of the season. Sofia Lindroth was the starting libero after starting the first three matches at defensive specialist.
“Every team had multiple lineups and this one produced the desired outcome, but the resulting play was not up to the level we expect to play every day and the players know it,” Kritza said. “The ability to be successful in multiple lineups is something that we are looking for even this early in the season.”
Becah Fogle recorded her first career double-double by hammering 10 kills and picking up 10 digs. She also added a trio of service aces, including one to win the first set. Colorado had 10 service aces for the second time this season. Schroeder, Steinhaus and Lindroth had a pair each and Burkett added one.
The Buffs hit just .152 with 28 kills and 14 errors on 92 swings but held the Stags to .059 (32 kills, 14 errors, 101 attacks) for the match.
“We have a young team and now that these young hitters are starting to get the experience they need, things are starting to work for us,” Burkett said. “Things did start a little slow tonight, but when we were able to get in system and knock them out of it, we really got going. It’s a big win for this young team.”
Besides a pair of aces and five block assists, Schroeder also added seven kills and eight digs.
“I’m happy that as a freshman I get to help my team out,” Schroeder said. “I know I have to keep pushing myself everyday whether it is practice or a match. My position isn’t a given and I plan on working hard every day to help me and the team improve.”
CU was unable to get its momentum going early in the match despite using a new line-up. Fairfield got out to a commanding lead (17-10) before the Buffs charged back with their own 9-3 run to get back in the set at 19-20. Colorado tied the set at 23 on an attack error by Fairfield and Burkett gave CU its first lead of the match at 25-24. Finally, with the lead at 28-27, the Buffs were able to put the frame away with an ace from Fogle.
The Buffs used their momentum from the end of the first set and got out to a quick start in the second set, taking eight of the first 10 points. Unfortunately, the Stags put together an 8-3 run to get back within one point. The Buffs managed to maintain the lead. After Fairfield got back within one again at 18-17; CU used a 7-3 run to close the set out at 25-20.
Fairfield started out the third set going up 13-8. CU put together an 8-3 run and then a 9-3 run to finish out the set but once against had to battle from behind in doing so. The Buffs played steady and let the Stags make the mistakes as they only put up five kills and recorded 10 errors while recording a .200 hitting percentage. The loss put Fairfield at 2-2 for the season.
“This was a difficult match because there was no flow to the play at all on the floor,” Kritza said. “We were just as guilty as they were of haphazard plays and unusual court movement and positioning and it made for some very unorthodox plays tonight.
“This is the second weekend of play and teams should be working on formulating consistent lineups and strategies and this match unfortunately did not afford much progress in that area.”
The Buffs will face Georgetown on Saturday at 9 a.m. (MST) and host Yale at 5 p.m. (MST) to end the tournament.
COLORADO BUFFALOES
Quotes:
Head Coach Liz Kritza
We will take this win and know that we escaped tonight with some less than perfect play and use that as a springboard to continually improve. Regardless of who is on the other side of the net, our focus as a team must be on continual improvement and this young team is learning that approach to playing volleyball.
This was a difficult match because there was no flow to the play at all on the floor. We were just as guilty as they were of haphazard plays and unusual court movement and positioning and it made for some very unorthodox plays tonight.
This is the second weekend of play and teams should be working on formulating consistent lineups and strategies and this match unfortunately did not afford much progress in that area.
Coming from behind is something that good team must be able to do, and a few times tonight we were able to piece together strings of points and climb back on top score-wise. Unforced errors were way too high on both sides of the net, however, which contributed to some of the string of points.
Every team had multiple lineups and this one produced the desired outcome, but the resulting play was not up to the level we expect to play every day and the players know it. The ability to be successful in multiple lineups is something that we are looking for even this early in the season.
As a team, blocking was a highlight tonight. Coaches stressed improvement in blocking systems and it was apparent tonight, which we will continue to seek improve in as we move forward. It is good to see practice transfer to competition in this area though.
Senior Setter Kaitlyn Burkett
We have a young team and now that these young hitters are starting to get the experience they need, things are starting to work for us. Things did start a little slow tonight, but when we were able to get in system and knock them out of it, we really got going. It’s a big win for this young team.
Freshman Outside Hitter Kerra Schroeder
I’m happy that as a freshman I get to help my team out. I know I have to keep pushing myself everyday whether it is practice or a match. My position isn’t a given and I plan on working hard every day to help me and the team improve.