Freshmen players have big shoes to fill
The CU volleyball team played well when it counted last year — they beat several ranked teams and advanced past the first round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament.
Going into the 2007 season, the Buffs are looking to play well again in those must-win games.
CU finished last season 17-12 with stellar wins over ranked teams Nebraska and New Mexico State. The Buffs were the only team to beat Nebraska; the 2006 NCAA champs.
“I definitely think our team has the potential to have big wins like (Nebraska),” said outside hitter Mallori Gibson. “Especially from starting at such a high level, we’re just going to keep building off of that, continuing to play well as a team. I think we’re going to surprise some people and be really good.”
With stand-out Amber Sutherland going to redshirt for the 2007 season, returning starter Gibson will look to lead the Buffs on the attack. Last year, Gibson finished second on the team in kills with 351.
Alex Buth, who had a solid season last year for the Buffs with 231 kills, 213 digs and 67 blocks, also said that the team has a lot of potential and is very athletic.
As far as the freshmen class contributions this season for the Buffs, both Buth and Gibson believe the freshmen are playing well so far.
“They’re really good. They have a strong class,” Gibson said. “They all come in and everyone just pushes each other in each position. They’re all focused and ready to play and step in when asked to.”
But the freshman class will have some big shoes to fill in 2007.
CU lost one of its best athletes in Ashley Nu’u after the 2006 season ended. Nu’uwas one of the best volleyball players to come through CU and last season averaged 12.52 assists per game.
Following this loss of Nu’u, The Buffs are off to a rough start. CU dropped their first two games of the season against Tulane and Furman in New Orleans last week.
However, last year the team managed to come back from a 1-3 start and finished with a winning record.
This team has chemistry though. Buth spoke about some of the positive things the team is doing early on.
“I think right now we’re doing really well with encouraging each other, working hard and getting on each other for certain things and holding each other accountable,” Buth said.
Throughout the season, Gibson, Buth and Kristen Karlik will guide some of the younger talent with their seasoned leadership abilities and certainly make for an interesting semester.
Contact Campus Press campus editor Kyle McDaniel at kyle.mcdaniel@thecampuspress.com
