The CU athletic department had quite the successful year. Perhaps I should preface that statement by mentioning that I am predominately referring to women’s sports here at the university.
If you ask the majority of current CU students if they feel that the university had a solid year in sports, they would probably laugh in your face. This is a football school, after all. The football team, with new head coach Dan Hawkins at the helm, was the joke of the town. They limped home with an embarrassing 2-10 record. At the conclusion of the football season, the CU men’s basketball team took the court hoping to boost university moral. From the outset, the team appeared doomed. Coach Ricardo Patton announced his resignation on pre-season media day and the team appeared to quit on him soon thereafter. It is hard to say whether football or basketball was worse, as the Buffs basketball team put up a 7-20 record on the season featuring an abysmal 3-13 record in the Big 12 Conference.
Enough talk of shortcomings, let me move on to the ladies of the university. Women’s sports at CU don’t get enough recognition. The women’s sports programs, particularly the volleyball, tennis and soccer teams, enjoyed outstanding seasons. Let me give props where they are due.
In the fall, the CU women’s volleyball team wrapped up a stellar season with a hard fought loss against No. 3 Washington in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. It was the first time CU had advanced past the first round of the tournament since 2001. The Buffs finished the year with a national ranking of 24, on the strength of a 17-12 overall record and a 12-8 showing in conference play. Colorado recorded three wins against top-25 teams in 2006.
The biggest win of the year, and arguably in program history, was CU’s first-ever win over a top-ranked opponent. The hated Cornhuskers of Nebraska rolled into the Coors Events Center sporting an undefeated record and a national ranking of number one. CU defeated Nebraska for the first time since 1997 in a thrilling five-set nail biter. Nebraska went on to win the national title and their lone loss for the season came against the Buffs.
While the volleyball team was getting it done in the gym, the women’s soccer team was in the midst of one of their finest seasons in program history. They made it all the way to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in their first ever trip to the third round of the tournament. The Buffs ended the season with a record of 14-6-4. The 14 wins was the second highest win total in school history.
The soccer team also made it to the Big 12 Championship game against Texas, where they lost a heartbreaker on penalty kicks, by a final score 5-4. Colorado ended the year ranked as the No. 12 team nationally and set a school record for season attendance. CU was led by freshman Nikki Marshall, who rewrote the record books at CU and in the process picked up various national awards and accolades. Losing only three seniors, this team seems poised for big things next season.
Winter turned to spring, and the women’s tennis team returned to the court. Led by sophomore Monica Milewski, who is currently ranked No. 36 in the nation in singles play, the Buffs finished off their best regular season in eight years. Their overall record of 16-6 and 9-2 in the Big 12 was good enough to bring a team ranking of No. 35 in the country.
The Buffs are competing as the No. 4 seed in the Big 12 Tennis Championships in Kansas City, Mo. In all likelihood, they will be selected as part of the NCAA Tournament field and could make a valiant run at the title in the postseason.
The highlight of the tennis season came on March 14, when the Buffs knocked off the undefeated and No. 12 team in the nation in William and Mary College. Two players rallied back from early deficits, helping CU complete the biggest upset in school history. By the time this season is over, who knows how far the team could make it.
As a member of the CU community, I certainly hope that both the men and women’s athletic teams have successful seasons. Although the women and men are all competing for one name, the name on the front of the jersey, the women clearly outperformed the men this year. In terms of results, this season should be celebrated, not forgotten. It is true that football and basketball struggled to epic proportions, but the women’s sports had a fantastic year and for that, they should be saluted.
Contact staff writer Ben Dignan at benjamin.dignan@thecampuspress.com
