After 11 league matches, the results are continuing the same downward trend.
A 25-23, 25-23, 25-23 loss to Arizona State at Coors Events Center brings the Buffs locked into the last place standing in their new conference.
Arizona St. entered Boulder with a 0-9 mark in the Pac-12, seated half a game above CU.
They have played every team in the conference and the Buffs have yet to win a set in the Pac-12. To put it in some perspective, that means the team is 0-33 in sets during conference play.
“So close yet so far, there’s no real way to describe it for us right now. The difference between just being close… it’s simply not enough,” head coach Liz Kritza said. “Earlier in the season we can take some positives in when we’re closing gaps and playing teams close, but it’s not enough. Not anymore.”
Sophomore Megan Beckwith, 3, and junior Kerra Schroeder, 6, both attempt a dig in the second game of the match against Arizona State University. The Sun Devils defeated the Buffs in three games. (CU Independent/Robert R. Denton)
Junior Kerra Schroeder led the Buffs with a match-best 16 kills. Sophomore Megan Beckwith returned to add 14 digs.
A conference that boasts five of the NCAA’s top seven teams, the new home is providing a rude transition for the Buffs. Going back to last season in the Big 12, the Buffs have lost 22 consecutive league-play matches.
Next weekend the Buffs begin the second cycle of conference play. They hit the road to battle No. 6 UCLA on Oct. 21 and No. 3 USC on Oct. 22.
Kritza said there is no reason for self-pity in the locker room.
“We’ve got some big matches ahead of us,” Kritza said. “But we can’t do anything but correct the things we know we can control. Correct our first contact and prepare ourselves for a really big challenge defensively. We can do it. We have a couple of days to get ready. There’s no feeling sorry for ourselves. We know what we’re in for.”
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Michael Krumholtz at Michael.krumholtz@colorado.edu.
