It began with a block, but ended with a kill.
More than a month after their previous win, the University of Colorado (6-11, 1-7 Big 12 Conference) volleyball team was victorious against Texas Tech (2-14, 0-7 ) on Wednesday night at the Coors Events Center, defeating the Red Raiders in four sets, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, and 25-17.
After the match, freshman outside hitter Kerra Schroeder said she had no doubt they were not going to lose this Big 12 matchup.
“We work hard every single day at practice,” Schroeder said. “Everyone really wanted it, so we definitely deserved it
Schroeder finished with 15 kills during the match, second only to sophomore outside hitter Rosie Steinhaus, who notched 16 kills.
Junior outside hitter Katie Evanyo, who previously played for CU’s club volleyball team, said the team had hope to attain this victory.
“We really needed that win,” Evanyo said. “That was all we were pushing for tonight, for that first win. We really wanted it. Everyone was going after it.”
Attacks from both squads were evenly distributed, as both teams ended up with a win apiece after the first two sets.
Going into the third set, the Red Raiders led in kills, but their momentum would be halted by Steinhaus, who pushed the game into a fourth set after a ferocious spike down on to the Texas Tech side of the hardwood to end the third.
Sophomore outside hitter Becah Fogle celebrates a point for the Buffs during the the third set of the Wednesday night match. (CU Independent/Molly Maher)
Dominating the fourth set, the Buffs went ahead as they finished with 15 kills in the decisive period.
CU head coach Liz Kritza said it was nice to finally break the losing streak.
“Nobody hates losing more than me, I’ll tell you that,” Kritza said. “Everybody wants to win, but sometimes it takes extraordinary effort and you have to do just a little bit more to put yourself in the position to win.”
Kritza attributed the team’s success to the break the Buffs had last week, as she said it helped the players refocus. She also said a balance between offense and defense is key for continued success in the Big 12.
“We need to have this type of balance,” Kritza said. “This is the balance we are going to need if we want to continue this winning in the Big 12, which we like. A little taste of it is good. It makes us hungry for more.”
The team’s next match is against the No. 22 Texas A&M Aggies (12-4, 5-3 Big 12) on Saturday at 1 p.m. in College Station, Tex.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Esteban L. Hernandez at Esteban.hernandez@colorado.edu.
