Buffaloes Prepped For Black And Gold Scrimmage
BOULDER — Colorado women's volleyball team will start the 2022 season this Saturday in its annual Black and Gold Scrimmage at 3 p.m. in the CU Events Center.
The Buffs enter the seventh season under head coach Jesse Mahoney coming off a 15-14 record last season when the Buffs started the season with the longest undefeated start to a season in CU volleyball history. Mahoney is on the verge of becoming just the third coach in program history to win 100 matches.
"We've had a very productive fall camp so far," said Mahoney. "We've got such a veteran group that we've been able to move very quickly as we install our offensive and defensive systems. I'm excited about the talent in each position group – we've had great competition so far and I expect a very competitive scrimmage on Saturday."
Colorado is led by a pair of sixth-year graduate students in Brynna DeLuzio and Meegan Hart. DeLuzio broke the school record for digs per set in a season last year at more than 4.6, but will compete with Taylor Simpson this season for the setter role. Hart will anchor the middle and is looking to become just the third Buff in program history to lead the squad for four seasons in blocks.
The Buffaloes are loaded with experience with 11 upperclassmen on the roster, including nine with four or more years in collegiate volleyball. The pin hitters are stacked with Jill Schneggenburger, Maya Tabron, Kelley Levaggi and Jahara Campbell all returning from last year's team along with Sterling Parker returning from injury and UCLA transfer Lexi Hadrych joining the Buffs with two years of eligibility left.
Last year's front duo of Hart and Alexia Kuehl return along with Bella Simkus in the middle, while the Buffs have numerous backrow options with Katie Lougeay, Emma Torstenson, Savannah Perry, Emilea Stepaniuk and Morgan Riddle all fighting for a potential libero spot or defensive specialist rotation.
The Buffs added four new faces this signing period, but only Hadrych will suit up for CU as the three true freshmen will all redshirt.
Colorado's scrimmage is free to the public and will be the first contest on the newly redesigned court in the Events Center. The Buffs start the season at home with two-straight tournaments that include playing Western Michigan, Green Bay and Denver the 26-27th in the Buffs Invitational before hosting Illinois and Iowa for the annual Pac-12/BIG TEN Challenge. CU closes out the non-conference season with a trip to Arkansas before the home-and-home series with CSU for the Golden Spike Trophy.