BOULDER –The Colorado Buffaloes defeated the Air Force Falcons in a three-set scrimmage Saturday morning.
This was the black and gold’s first taste of action at the CU Events Center in 2024, and they kicked it off with a three-set sweep.
Despite some highlight plays, the squad overall went through some growing pains to win this match, which is likely the culmination of the severe roster turnover the team has seen towards the top end.
The Colorado volleyball squad has a big adjustment to make this season, as they lost quite a few starters including Maya Tabron (OH), Morgan Riddle (DS/L), Skyy Howard (MB), and Lexi Hadrych (OH) to graduation.
One position of attention throughout the spring season will be libero, as the position did not have a relatively obvious replacement who performed across the entire 2023 season. Colorado has to replace former starter Morgan Riddle, who successfully occupied the spot throughout the Buffs’ 2023 campaign. After her graduation, the Buffs brought in Sarah Morton from Auburn to compete with Emilea Stepaniuk and Emma Torstenson for the starting job. All three saw great deals of action in Saturday’s match.
With set scores of 25-21, 29-27, and 25-17, it would be hard to believe that the Buffs trailed at some point in all three sets. The second set was a particular struggle for the Buffs, who did not take a lead in the set until 26-25 after falling to a deficit as great as six at 14-8.
Buffs fans would have recognized many of the common stars of Saturday’s scrimmage, such as Lily Dwinell (OH), Cayla Payne (MB), and Ana Burilović (OH) who all look to continue their success from their freshmen campaigns.
The black and gold are back in action on April 20 where they will face the Colorado State Rams and the Wyoming Cowgirls in a doubleheader. The first serves will be at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. MT respectively.
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