Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Wyoming
CSU takes first leg of border war
9/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 26, 2008
By Luke Simmons
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – For the second time in three matches, the CSU volleyball team needed five sets to keep their home winning streak, fourth best in the nation, intact. Both times, however, the experienced Rams prevailed, and Friday the squad defeated the University of Wyoming (22-25, 25-13, 25-18, 21-25, 15-9) to push their home winning streak to 22 matches.
With the win, the 13th ranked Rams (11-1, 3-0) also extended their dominance over the Cowgirls (2-10, 1-2), having not lost to their border-rival since the 1997 season, a streak of 21 matches.
The final set saw sophomore Jacque Davisson post two kills and two digs, en route to her third double-double (12 kills, 12 digs) of the season, and second in three matches. Junior Tessa Nelson hit error-free in the fifth set, notching two of her season-high 11 kills. Nelson also tied a career high with nine blocks.
“Tessa was consistent every time she took a swing,” said Head Coach Tom Hilbert. “She blocked well and really stepped up. I thought she won this for us.”
The match saw the Rams scrambling at times, confused by the frequent float serves of the Cowgirls.
“We didn’t do things defensively like we should have, we missed some serves, and our focus wasn’t there the entire time,” said Hilbert. “To Wyoming’s credit, they came out and disrupted us.”
Wyoming took the first set, thanks to confusing serves and a 6-1 lead, only to have the Rams storm back and take the next two sets. In the fourth set, Hilbert tinkered with the line-up, starting freshman setter Evan Sanders for the first time all season. Again, the Cowgirls took a 6-1 lead and eventually the set, forcing a fifth and final deciding set.
Just eight days ago, the Rams found themselves in a similar position having been pushed to five sets in their conference opener against Utah.
“It’s always good to be tested,” Hilbert said, “We’ll learn from this.”
Jaime Strauss led the team with 19 kills on 47 attacks, while three other Rams tallied 10 or more kills for the second time in three matches. Sophomore Danielle Minch, who has not seen much playing time since her breakout freshman year, tied her season high with five kills.
After playing eight of their first 12 matches at home, the Rams will take the road for five matches in October, starting with Air Force on Thursday.
“I have a feeling some of these road matches are going to be pretty hard,” Hilbert said. “Our team has to understand that (road matches) are going to be uncomfortable. They key for our team to understand how to play when everything’s not perfect.”
