Loosing season a learning experience for team
With the CU volleyball season ending last Saturday, the Buffs finished their season at 6-22, with a conference record of 1-19.
In the last 20 games of the season, the Buffs had only one win – against Texas Tech at home.
“The season has obviously been a disappointment as far as our record,” coach Pi’i Aiu said. “However, I can’t be disappointed with the players and the way they’ve reacted to our struggles. They’ve never given up.”
As the end of the season approached, the team tried to stay positive.
“Our team is really positive, that’s the only way you can be,” Alex Buth, a junior hitter, said. “When we think about winning and winning only we end up winning. We just have to stay positive.”
Though the season hasn’t been a successful one by conventional standards, the Buffs see their struggles as a chance to learn from experience.
“This season has been a learning experience and a test of character for a lot of us,” said libero Callie Webster.
Perhaps the Buffs’ most notable problem was their inability to finish strong late in matches Webster said.
The Buffs lost every match they played that lasted five games, which accounts for 10 of the team’s 22 losses.
“This season, we’ve gained an understanding of what it takes to win,” Aiu said. “I think we took some things for granted this season because we’ve been good for so long. We’ve learned that we cannot take those things for granted if we want to win matches.”
The Buffs were haunted by injuries to senior libero Kristen Karlik and senior outside hitter Amber Sutherland this season, Aiu said. Before the season was over, sophomore outside hitter Mallori Gibson also saw the effects the multiple injuries had on the team.
“We’re getting to the point in the season when everyone is beginning to get tired and break down a little bit,” Gibson said. “It’s kind of been going on throughout the whole season, but we’ve done a good job of fighting through whatever is thrown at us and finding a way to get around it.”
Though the team’s record is less than spectacular, the season has not been without its shining moments.
Five Buffs were named to the Academic All Big-12 teams: senior libero Therese Viñal and Buth were named to the first team and Karlik, junior middle blocker Lauren Schaefer and sophomore setter Kaitlyn Burkett were named to the second team.
“We take a lot of pride in everything we do on and off the court and in the classroom,” Aiu said. “I’m very proud of those girls and so is the rest of the team.”
Many of the younger players have made impressive strides over the course of the season as well. Sophomore outside hitter Emilee Sisco, Gibson and Burkett, as well as freshman middle blocker Schylur Edelman have come a long way, Aiu said.
