The Colorado University Buffaloes (6-3) secured a much-needed win against the University of California Golden Bears (6-3) in a three-set sweep.
The Buffs and the Golden Bears both came out with an infectious, high energy for the first set. The Bears secured the first point of the set, leading to a consistently tied score throughout. But the efforts of sophomore Ana Burilović, and her calculated spikes pushed the Buffs into the lead. Middle blocker Cayla Payne, a sophomore, closed out the set with a spike, preserving the win, 25-18.
The second set led to increased intensity from both teams with the first point going to the Buffs. The efforts of sophomores Sydney Jordan, Lily Dwinell and junior Bella Simkus led to an early 10-point lead. The Bears, after a timeout, returned with high energy, closing the gap in the score with only a five-point difference. Burilović and Jordan aided to make distance between the score, with a spike from Payne which led to another victory, 25-19.
The third set made it clear the Bears were not ready to succumb to defeat. Cal secured the first point and kept their energy high. The Buffs, determined to win, led to a close set. With a kill from Dwinell and Burilović, the lead was to the black and gold. The momentum the Bears came into the set with was fleeting as the Buffs fought to preserve their four-point lead. The Bears were not going down without a fight, closing the gap between the scores. But two back-to-back aces by Burilović and a game-winning spike by Jordan secured the victory, 25-23. With a final score of 3-0, the Buffs left the court with a full sweep against the Golden Bears.
“This game was maybe some of the best offensive volleyball we played all season,” CU head coach Jesse Mahoney said after the game.
The Buffs took the game head-on, and sophomore Avery Bolles racked up 12 digs, creating a new career high for herself.
“My mindset today was play every ball as well as I can”, Bolles said while reflecting on her gameplay, “Obviously I got a career-high but I didn't get as many digs as I wanted to, definitely could have executed better. But, overall, it was a pretty good game.”
Jordan, a standout player in the game, earned nine kills and 22 attacks, aiding the team to victory.
“My mindset was to swing high, I was lucky enough to have opportunities to capitalize off of”, Jordan said.
Burilović, another standout, earned 18 kills and 32 attacks throughout the game. As a team, the Buffs obtained 99 attacks and 32 digs showing their offensive and defensive strengths.
They went on to lose to Wyoming on Sunday, finishing the tournament 2-1.
Cover photo by Remi Krupinski/Sko Buffs Sports
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