Webster a shining star during a struggling season
Callie Webster, a junior integrative physiology and psychology major, has emerged as a leader for Buffalos volleyball this season.
Webster, a 5-foot-10-inch libero from Mercer Island, Wash., was named Big 12 player of the week following her performance against Missouri earlier in the season, picking up a career high of 33 digs in the game. It was her first honor within the Big 12.
“It just comes from taking on some other leadership positions on the court,” Webster said. “I had one really great outstanding game so I don’t see it as a perfect reflection of my season so far, but I’m honored. It’s great.”
Webster is leading the Buffs in digs this season with 374 and aces with 20. She attributes her recent success to the Buffs’ coaching staff working with the players on staying calm on defense and switching from a more active style of defense to a more relaxed and set style.
“It’s really helped me out,” Webster said. “Coach Sullivan is really big on not moving, which is basically the opposite of what you’ve been taught all your life. Now we’re just sitting, it’s a lot more relaxed, and we’re playing in our systems so the whole defense is working a lot better together.”
“She’s really embraced what we’ve asked her to do,” Head Coach Pi’i Aiu said.
Colorado is struggling this season with a 5-16 record, and 0-13 in the Big 12 Conference. In their most recent match, the Iowa State Cyclones swept the Buffs in three straight games 20-23, 30-17 and 30-20.
“It seems that we are really struggling closing games,” Webster said. “Consistently we are putting ourselves in a great position to win, it’s just the finish we’re dealing with lately.”
Throughout the Buff’s struggles Webster has emerged as a vocal leader on the court, according to Aiu.
“She gets everybody together,” Aiu said. “The team likes her. That comes with the position and being on the court for so much of the game.”
Teammate Alex Buth also gives Webster praise.
“Callie’s becoming a really good leader,” Buth said. “She’s been really calm on the court and always talks to us. She does really good things so she’s a really good example for all of us to watch.”
Webster’s 33 digs against Missouri tied the record for the fifth highest total digs in a game in Colorado volleyball history.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Brad Cochi at brad.cochi@thecampuspress.com
