Volleyball wins first Pac-12 game

The University of Colorado volleyball team opened the Pac-12 Conference schedule with a win against the University of Utah.

The Buffs came ready to play on Wednesday evening at the Coors Events Center in Boulder, winning in three straight sets over the Utah Swoop (25-21, 25-20, 25-21). The win gave CU a record of 11-2 overall and 1-0 in the Pac-12, while Utah dropped to 9-5 overall. The Buffs lost to Utah last season in straight sets, so it was an accomplishment for CU to sweep this year.

Sophomore outside hitter Emily Alexis serves the ball in the 3-0 win over Utah Wednesday. Alexis had 7.5 points on the night. (CU Independent/Tyler Gallardo)

The Colorado team ended the match with 44 kills and a hitting percentage of .299. Sophomore outside hitter Neira Ortiz-Ruiz led the Buffs with 14 kills and one error. She was supported by freshman middle blocker/outside hitter Alexis Austin, who had 12 kills.

The Buffs trailed the first set 4-2 before evening the score at 4-4. It would be the last time Utah was ahead in that set, as Colorado pulled ahead with some big kills from Austin and sophomore middle hitter Kelsey English. The Buffs would continue to increase their lead from 13-8 to 23-17, and they finished the set 25-21.

CU went up fast in the second set and got a lead of 6-0. The Utes fought back, however, and they were able to tighten th game to 11-10, forcing Colorado to call a timeout. After the timeout, the Buffs would add to their score (20-14) with some help from Austin, English and sophomore outside hitter Emily Alexis. With an attack error by Utah, the Buffs were able to finish the set 25-20 and go up two sets to zero.

The third set started much closer, with the score bouncing back and forth. Then, Ortiz-Ruiz hammered three kills and the Buffs went up 9-5.Utah was never able to get a lead in the third set, and the Buffs finished the Utes off with a 25-21 win in the third set to end the match.

Colorado is scheduled to play the University of California at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Coors Events Center. It will be the Buffs’ second conference match of the season.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jillian Arja at Jillian.arja@colorado.edu.