Colorado State University Athletics
Thursday, September 19
Fort Collins, CO
6:00 PM
Colorado State
3-6,0-0Mountain West
1
vs
3
Colorado
7-4,0-0Big 12
1
2
3
4
F
Colorado
25
18
32
25
3
Colorado St.
23
25
30
20
1
30 Points Define the Losing Game
9/19/2024 10:29:00 PM | Volleyball
The Rams lose to the Buffs at home for a second year in a row
FORT COLLINS – Not often is there a 30 on the scoreboard for Colorado State volleyball but playing against rivals seems like the right place for it to happen.
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CSU volleyball's own rendition of the Rocky Mountain Showdown brought fans from each side to the stands of Moby Arena on Thursday and, like last year, it ended with a loss on the home court 3-1 (25-23, 18-25, 32-30, 25-20).
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"I think it shows that we can go toe to toe with them," Malaya Jones said. "I think it really trains us for tomorrow that we are going to come as hard as we're going to come. We just have to execute a little bit more in game."
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However, the night was not entirely lost, as setter Emery Herman matched her kill record of seven with 100% accuracy in game, also tallying 40 assists throughout the match.
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Her showing was not matched by many on the team, but the third set displayed what level CSU volleyball has the ability to play at. The set ended 32-30 with each team fighting for point after point all ending with a kill from Sydney Jordan from CU.
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"That was a really competitive set," coach Emily Kohan said. "We had a few match points, we just got to be able to finish it when it counts."
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Showing up when it counts continues to be a recurring theme that does not quite stick as the Rams hold a 3-6 record for their ongoing season, the vast majority of those game on the home court.
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An important piece of the puzzle that is starting to show her importance, however, is freshmen Maria Brun who continues to be a starter.
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"It feels so good because I started with an injury and then started going to practice again," Brun said. "In practices, I'm starting to get more confidence from the coaches so (their trust in me) makes me feel so confident in my abilities."
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Brun had eight blocks and 9.5 points throughout the game and shows potential to continue being a starter.
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One player who didn't quite perform like the expectations was Jones who hit a lull in the first set but attributed anger to her comeback in the last three.
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"I got mad," Jones said. "And usually that fires me up and I just tell myself to win and make it happen. So, there's no other choice but to do exactly that."
Â
Even though CSU did not come out and win against CU, the fighting spirit was there, just not quite enough to win.
Â
Wanting redemption from last year's game was not apparent on the court with and the same dream from last year holds true. Wanting to beat the Buffs on their home turf.
Â
"It's how I feel about every game," Jones said. "You have to go into every game and (want to) beat them, and I want to beat them on their court."
Â
The Rocky Mountain Showdown, in any rendition brings up the competitiveness fans can only see from rivals and though it continues to be a losing game for CSU a second chance might be all that's needed.
Â
Going to Boulder is a chance to take from the mistakes Thursday and continue to improve play. The Rams got to see how the Buffs play and information makes all the difference.
Â
"That's kind of been the tale of the past couple of years," Kohan said. "Last year we beat them there and they beat us here. So absolutely, you want to go return the favor and get the Golden Spike back."
Â
The Golden Spike trophy maintains the rivalry between the team teams acting as a reminder of what's a stake every year since its introduction to the two teams in 2019 which is determined by number of set's won throughout the two games.
Â
At 1-3, CSU has some catching up to do if they want the coveted trophy. And even though CSU didn't win the battle, they have a chance to win the war.
Â
CSU volleyball's own rendition of the Rocky Mountain Showdown brought fans from each side to the stands of Moby Arena on Thursday and, like last year, it ended with a loss on the home court 3-1 (25-23, 18-25, 32-30, 25-20).
Â
"I think it shows that we can go toe to toe with them," Malaya Jones said. "I think it really trains us for tomorrow that we are going to come as hard as we're going to come. We just have to execute a little bit more in game."
Â
However, the night was not entirely lost, as setter Emery Herman matched her kill record of seven with 100% accuracy in game, also tallying 40 assists throughout the match.
Â
Her showing was not matched by many on the team, but the third set displayed what level CSU volleyball has the ability to play at. The set ended 32-30 with each team fighting for point after point all ending with a kill from Sydney Jordan from CU.
Â
"That was a really competitive set," coach Emily Kohan said. "We had a few match points, we just got to be able to finish it when it counts."
Â
Showing up when it counts continues to be a recurring theme that does not quite stick as the Rams hold a 3-6 record for their ongoing season, the vast majority of those game on the home court.
Â
An important piece of the puzzle that is starting to show her importance, however, is freshmen Maria Brun who continues to be a starter.
Â
"It feels so good because I started with an injury and then started going to practice again," Brun said. "In practices, I'm starting to get more confidence from the coaches so (their trust in me) makes me feel so confident in my abilities."
Â
Brun had eight blocks and 9.5 points throughout the game and shows potential to continue being a starter.
Â
One player who didn't quite perform like the expectations was Jones who hit a lull in the first set but attributed anger to her comeback in the last three.
Â
"I got mad," Jones said. "And usually that fires me up and I just tell myself to win and make it happen. So, there's no other choice but to do exactly that."
Â
Even though CSU did not come out and win against CU, the fighting spirit was there, just not quite enough to win.
Â
Wanting redemption from last year's game was not apparent on the court with and the same dream from last year holds true. Wanting to beat the Buffs on their home turf.
Â
"It's how I feel about every game," Jones said. "You have to go into every game and (want to) beat them, and I want to beat them on their court."
Â
The Rocky Mountain Showdown, in any rendition brings up the competitiveness fans can only see from rivals and though it continues to be a losing game for CSU a second chance might be all that's needed.
Â
Going to Boulder is a chance to take from the mistakes Thursday and continue to improve play. The Rams got to see how the Buffs play and information makes all the difference.
Â
"That's kind of been the tale of the past couple of years," Kohan said. "Last year we beat them there and they beat us here. So absolutely, you want to go return the favor and get the Golden Spike back."
Â
The Golden Spike trophy maintains the rivalry between the team teams acting as a reminder of what's a stake every year since its introduction to the two teams in 2019 which is determined by number of set's won throughout the two games.
Â
At 1-3, CSU has some catching up to do if they want the coveted trophy. And even though CSU didn't win the battle, they have a chance to win the war.
Team Stats
CU
CSU
Kills
60
56
Errors
22
19
Attempts
148
124
Hitting %
.257
.298
Points
75.0
70.0
Assists
55
53
Aces
7
4
Blocks
8
10
Game Leaders
Kills
16
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
10
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
Colorado State Volleyball Press Conference 9.22.25
Monday, September 22
CSU Volleyball Players Press Conference - August 6
Thursday, August 07
Emily Kohan Press Conference - August 6
Thursday, August 07
Colorado State Volleyball: Building Champions to Win Championship
Monday, May 05