Colorado State University Athletics
Friday, September 7
Rochester, Mich.
5:30 PM MT
Colorado State
6-2
3
at
1
Oakland
3-5
1
2
3
4
F
Colorado State
14
25
25
25
3
Oakland
25
15
16
17
1
Rams stay perfect at Michigan Challenge with win over Oakland
9/7/2018 8:21:00 PM | Volleyball
ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Colorado State volleyball team rebounded after dropping the first set and stayed perfect on the weekend with a 3-1 victory at Oakland on Friday night.
Oakland came out firing and used a big seven-point run to lead 17-8 and never looked back as it took the first set, 25-14.
In the second set, the Rams offense found its groove as it hit a match-high .438 and recorded 17 kills. Colorado State took a 3-1 lead early and led the rest of the frame, using a 5-0 run midway to make a 17-9 cushion. CSU started another four-point run the following rally to cruise to a 25-15 set win.
After the break, Oakland held a small lead, but Colorado State removed it on its way to taking the lead at 8-6. The match was tied 11-11 before the Rams strung together four-consecutive points to take the lead – one they wouldn't lose. CSU used small runs to increase its lead to 19-12 and to reach set point at 24-16 before taking the set to hold a 2-1 match lead.
In the fourth, Oakland led at 10-4, but again the Rams manufactured eight-consecutive points to take a two-point lead. Colorado State trailed by one at 15-14 before again using a huge run, finishing the set on an 11-2 tear, including a 6-0 run to finish the match, 25-17.
QUOTES
Head Coach Tom Hilbert on the match…
"I started the match with a different lineup than usual and it didn't work. Oakland was able to build up a big lead and our players were uncomfortable and we played a poor set. We recovered in set two after we went back to our normal lineup and we played better. We hit and blocked better also in set two. We still need to serve and block better if we want to be successful. Sasha (Colombo) had a great serving run in set four. It came down to serving and blocking tonight I thought Kirstie (Hillyer) and Paulina (Hougaard-Jensen) had a great match and Olivia (Nicholson) played well in a lot of different areas. She was passing and playing defense and also did some really smart ball handling things that I really liked. I still think we haven't played our 'A' game yet this weekend, so I hope that is coming tomorrow."
Hilbert on what needs to be done tomorrow night against Michigan…
"We are going to have to be much more aggressive tomorrow night and we'll have to have a lot faster tempo in our offense. We don't have much of an offense right now, but I thought we passed the ball better tonight and if it continues into tomorrow night that would help our blocking. We are going to have to be very aggressive in our serving game and also take big competitive swings every time we get an opportunity. If we can do those things, we have a chance."
STAT OF THE DAY
Katie Oleksak recorded her second double-double of the season with 45 assists and 10 digs.
NOTES
- Three Rams tallied double-digit kills during the match, including Jessica Jackson who set a career-high 12 kills.
- Kirstie Hillyer paced the offense with 13 kills, followed by Jessica Jackson (12) and Breana Runnels (11).
- Amanda Young led the back row with 22 digs, while Olivia Nicholson also reached double figures with 13 saves.
- Hillyer controlled the net, recording eight blocks. Paulina Hougaard-Jensen followed with six, including a solo stuff.
- CSU totaled 14 blocks in the win, while holding Oakland to a .120 hitting percentage, including under .100 the final two frames.
NEXT
Colorado State will finish the Michigan Challenge, playing No. 20 Michigan tomorrow night starting at 5 p.m. MT.
Oakland came out firing and used a big seven-point run to lead 17-8 and never looked back as it took the first set, 25-14.
In the second set, the Rams offense found its groove as it hit a match-high .438 and recorded 17 kills. Colorado State took a 3-1 lead early and led the rest of the frame, using a 5-0 run midway to make a 17-9 cushion. CSU started another four-point run the following rally to cruise to a 25-15 set win.
After the break, Oakland held a small lead, but Colorado State removed it on its way to taking the lead at 8-6. The match was tied 11-11 before the Rams strung together four-consecutive points to take the lead – one they wouldn't lose. CSU used small runs to increase its lead to 19-12 and to reach set point at 24-16 before taking the set to hold a 2-1 match lead.
In the fourth, Oakland led at 10-4, but again the Rams manufactured eight-consecutive points to take a two-point lead. Colorado State trailed by one at 15-14 before again using a huge run, finishing the set on an 11-2 tear, including a 6-0 run to finish the match, 25-17.
QUOTES
Head Coach Tom Hilbert on the match…
"I started the match with a different lineup than usual and it didn't work. Oakland was able to build up a big lead and our players were uncomfortable and we played a poor set. We recovered in set two after we went back to our normal lineup and we played better. We hit and blocked better also in set two. We still need to serve and block better if we want to be successful. Sasha (Colombo) had a great serving run in set four. It came down to serving and blocking tonight I thought Kirstie (Hillyer) and Paulina (Hougaard-Jensen) had a great match and Olivia (Nicholson) played well in a lot of different areas. She was passing and playing defense and also did some really smart ball handling things that I really liked. I still think we haven't played our 'A' game yet this weekend, so I hope that is coming tomorrow."
Hilbert on what needs to be done tomorrow night against Michigan…
"We are going to have to be much more aggressive tomorrow night and we'll have to have a lot faster tempo in our offense. We don't have much of an offense right now, but I thought we passed the ball better tonight and if it continues into tomorrow night that would help our blocking. We are going to have to be very aggressive in our serving game and also take big competitive swings every time we get an opportunity. If we can do those things, we have a chance."
STAT OF THE DAY
Katie Oleksak recorded her second double-double of the season with 45 assists and 10 digs.
NOTES
- Three Rams tallied double-digit kills during the match, including Jessica Jackson who set a career-high 12 kills.
- Kirstie Hillyer paced the offense with 13 kills, followed by Jessica Jackson (12) and Breana Runnels (11).
- Amanda Young led the back row with 22 digs, while Olivia Nicholson also reached double figures with 13 saves.
- Hillyer controlled the net, recording eight blocks. Paulina Hougaard-Jensen followed with six, including a solo stuff.
- CSU totaled 14 blocks in the win, while holding Oakland to a .120 hitting percentage, including under .100 the final two frames.
NEXT
Colorado State will finish the Michigan Challenge, playing No. 20 Michigan tomorrow night starting at 5 p.m. MT.
#PointRams
Team Stats
CSU
OAK
Kills
50
39
Errors
17
23
Attempts
132
133
Hitting %
.250
.120
Points
73.0
49.0
Assists
47
36
Aces
9
3
Blocks
14.0
7.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
8
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
11
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
9
Aces
2
Blocks
6
Players Mentioned
MB
/ VolleyballMB
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
DS
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