Undefeated non conference streak leads to Golden Spike Trophy
CU Volleyball continues with their undefeated winning streak by defeating Colorado State not once, but twice and then taking the Golden Spike Trophy home. This is also the first time in the schools history that the Buffs will move to the conference play undefeated.
The team played against the Rams in Boulder on Sept. 16 and won 3-1 continuing with their undefeated streak against them. The top players of the game were Jenna Ewert with 47 assists; Alexia Kuehl, Maya Tabron and Leah Clayton with 12 kills each; Megan Hart with 11 kills and 6 blocks; Jenna Ewert 47 assists and 19 digs; and Brynna DeLuzio had 26 digs which is just three off of her career high that was set earlier this season. The rivalry has always been high between CU and CSU but head coach Jesse Mahoney seems to play off it in a positive way.
“I’m not sure, we have to sell it as a rivalry, that’s a really good team over there that’s been in 20-30 straight NCAA Tournaments,” Mahoney said. “We lost them in 2019 so if I have to get them amped up for that, it doesn’t make sense. We want bragging rights in the state. We love playing good teams like Jenna mentioned we’re going to play great teams. The rest of the way including this team and Fort Collins. Tom and I have a really good relationship, but we both want to beat each other.”
The Buffs went up against CSU again in Fort Collins at Moby Arena and dominated them 3-0 the following Saturday, Sept. 18. The top players of the game were Jenna Ewert with 5 kills, one at match point and and an outstanding ace.
Another top player was Leah Clayton with 11 kills, nine digs and 5 blocks. This is also their longest winning streak since 2014 and in the Jesse Mahoney-era. This win led to the Buffs taking home the Golden Spike Trophy.
“We played three really competitive matches on the road in Charlotte, Illinois and here. We don’t really talk about road woes or anything like that, we just talk about trying to get better.” Mahoney said, “Playing the matches that we have on the road this year are going to just help us as we get into what is going to be a really tough Pac-12 season.”
The Buffs played in Pullman on Sept. 22 against Washington State and the Buffs had their first loss of the season in a 3-0 sweep (25-19, 25-23, 25-21). Mahoney said, “Tough open to the season. WSU put a lot of pressure on us from the service line and we had our worst passing performance of the season. We struggled to get our middles involved and WSU camped on our lefts. Looking forward to a tough test with Utah at home on Friday.”.
