AMES, Iowa – On Wednesday, the Colorado Buffaloes (12-14, 5-9 Big 12) took the trip to take on the Iowa State Cyclones (9-14, 3-9 Big 12). The Buffaloes got out to an early 2-0 set lead until the Cyclones took a set of their own. The Buffs closed out the fourth set with a 25-21 win and won the match 3-1.
The game began with both teams alternating 3-0 scoring runs until Colorado went on a 5-0 run and forced the Cyclones into an early timeout.
Out of the break, Iowa State went on a 4-0 scoring run to bring the game to 8-7 in favor of CU. Both teams looked to punish the middle of the court on the offensive end, netting five middle kills in the first set. CU grabbed onto another 3-0 run before the Cyclones took a momentum-shifting 7-1 run. The first set’s runs were extremely important for both teams. The game found itself tied at 16 after Iowa State's run, and then both teams alternated points until tied at 19.
CU’s blocking game was a notable mention in the first set. The Buffs were able to not only get points from spikes and kills on the offensive end but also get up on the net and score defensively. The black and gold knocked down six straight points to win the first set 25-19
In an evenly matched game between the two teams, sets were very close and played even closer. Most points were won after 2+ rallies, but sophomore Ana Burilovic’s four kills and one block led Colorado to a first-set victory.
The second set began 5-1 in favor of the Cyclones until the Buffs rallied back to take its first lead at 10-9. CU grabbed another point before the Cyclones stormed back and tied the set at 15 a piece. Colorado then went on a 3-0 run, forcing yet another Iowa State timeout.
After the timeout, Colorado was able to hang onto its three-point lead until the score was 22-19. After an Iowa State set error, the Buffs knocked down three straight and won the second set 25-20.
The third set started similarly to the second, as Iowa State took another early lead. The black and gold were overwhelmed by mistakes and forced into a timeout after ISU was up 8-3.
The third set became a tropical storm where the Buffs couldn't make up ground and were forced into another timeout down 23-15. CU’s two late points in a last-ditch effort were not enough to win the third set, and Iowa State tallied its first set.
The fourth set began as back-and-forth as can be, as the Cyclones and Buffs traded points until CU went on a 4-0 run, making the score 8-5 and giving Colorado its first lead since the second set.
The Cyclones then tied the ball game at nine a piece, and the set was tight until they conceded two consecutive set errors. The Buffs seized the opportunity and knocked over a service ace. The 3-0 scoring run forced an ISU timeout.
After the game break both teams scored in alternating fashion, and the Buffs found themselves with match point at 24-18. Iowa State rallied to knock down three points in a row, but the Buffs made sure ISU’s effort was too little too late and closed the set 25-21 to win the match.
Colorado now sits at 12-14, 5-9 in Big 12 play. Their Big 12 playoff hopes are slim, but if they keep winning games and get help from the rest of the conference, a playoff berth may be attainable.
“We’ll get a little bit healthy and ready for Arizona who’s coming off a top-10 win,” Mahoney said.
The Buffs Big 12 schedule doesn’t get much easier, but Colorado is building a hefty amount of momentum with their current two-game win streak.
"It'll be good to have some time off and rest and recover," said Mahoney. " We'll get a little bit healthy and get ready for Arizona who's coming off a top-10 win and Arizona State is first in the conference so it'll be a challenge but we're excited to be going home."
The Buffs play another Big 12 opponent on Thursday at 6 p.m. MT, this time at home vs. the Arizona Wildcats (14-9, 3-9 Big 12). Action from the CU Events Center will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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