Colorado State University Athletics
Friday, August 29
Fort Collins, CO
6:00 PM
Colorado State
1-0,0-0Mountain West
3
vs
0
Colgate
0-1,0-0Patriot
1
2
3
F
Colgate
18
14
10
0
Colorado St.
25
25
25
3
Moby Magic Fuels First Sweep
8/29/2025 8:32:00 PM | Volleyball
New faces and old leaders begin their 50th season in a dominant sweep
Moby volleyball is back.
On Friday night, Colorado State volleyball opened its 50th season by taking on Colgate for the first time in program history. The Rams made the debut memorable, sweeping the Raiders 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-8) as a young roster dug its feet into the ground and set an early tone for the year.
It's always a challenge to begin a season unsure of how new talent will mesh. With only a handful of practices under their belt, the Rams relied on familiar energy — warmups felt the same, the team huddle carried its usual fire, and Moby Madness once again pulsed through the arena.
"I can't even describe it," transfer Brenna Rowland said. "Of course I came in very nervous, and I didn'treally know what to expect, but I think I turned that anxiety and put it out on the court. I think the whole team did."
The sweep was apparent from the opening points. Service aces from libero Aine Doty and blocks from Rowland helped set the defensive tone, while outside hitter Maria Brun led the attack with 14 kills on .481 hitting.
CSU head coach Emily Kohan kept the rotations fresh throughout the night, using much of her roster in different combinations as she searched for the best fit. Depth, she explained, will be a strength all season.
"There's a lot of pieces," Kohan said. "To have a team this deep — if injuries happen, or when we're playing six games in nine days — it can be hard and tiring. You can rest some people and others can be ready. So, I'm just really proud of the whole group effort."
But because of her experimenting we're getting to see more of players like Erin Debiec now that last years starting setter, Emery Herman, is gone. Being one of the only freshman on the floor at times, Debiec handled her first college start with grace.
Â
Posting 23 assists and 6 digs, Debiec was working well with main hitter Brun to hit the Raiders where they least expected it.
Â
"In practice it's been different," Brun said. "It's been a really nice change though. She's been doing really good and been practicing really good. And she's putting so much effort in it. She's trying to do her best and that makes us better."
Â
The home crowd played its part as well. Fueled by a roaring student section, the Rams rattled off a 10-0 run in the second set, with "C-S-U" chants echoing off the walls of Moby Arena.
Even Colgate's coach, Ryan Baker recognized the magic.
Â
"When we went to shake hands he goes, 'This has been on my bucket list to play here,'" Kohan said. "'This is unbelievable,' he goes. He knew they had never played in a venue this big also in front of fans like this. I think a big reason why we could walk away with this kind of performance is the way Moby showed up tonight. I know the department is challenging us to break the attendance record again and I've heard the ticket claims for tomorrow get even higher. So, the students keep showing up."
Â
Sweeping the first game of the season was definitely a high start for the season. And rising up as a team was aided by those who have been in the game for a while.
Â
Transfers Rowland and Eve Wilson provided a veteran presence on the court, combining for 13 blocks and 13 kills while holding Colgate to a -.011 hitting percentage. But their relationship began before CSU.
Â
"Me and Eve actually played against each other in the Big South," Rowland said. "We have just formed the best friendship and I think that's how we gel so well. It's been awesome to see us go from competitors to teammates."
Â
Someone who is continually evolving is the team's only libero Aine Doty. Being the player with the most career starts on the roster, she's used to the Moby madness and training under Kate Yoshimoto last season, dives for any ball that comes at her.
Â
Getting 11 digs and five assists, Doty showcased how she will continue to evolve on the roster compared to last season.
Â
"Right now, she's out there most of the time," Kohan said. "So, her leadership and just her composure are great. She's played in more matches than any person on the team. And so, her being able to give to the other five and keep them composed versus just worry about their performance is great. She also had a really nice night tonight."
The night was more than just a win — it was a glimpse at how the Rams' newest era is coming together. With veterans, transfers and freshmen all contributing in different ways, Kohan's roster is still a puzzle in motion. But if Friday night was any indication, the pieces are starting to lock into place.
Fifty years in, Moby Arena is still the heart which drives Ram volleyball. The noise, the energy, the tradition — it's what helps turn nerves into confidence and uncertainty into chemistry. For a team learning who they are, that atmosphere is the final piece that makes the picture whole.
Moby volleyball is back, and the Rams are ready to keep building.
On Friday night, Colorado State volleyball opened its 50th season by taking on Colgate for the first time in program history. The Rams made the debut memorable, sweeping the Raiders 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-8) as a young roster dug its feet into the ground and set an early tone for the year.
It's always a challenge to begin a season unsure of how new talent will mesh. With only a handful of practices under their belt, the Rams relied on familiar energy — warmups felt the same, the team huddle carried its usual fire, and Moby Madness once again pulsed through the arena.
"I can't even describe it," transfer Brenna Rowland said. "Of course I came in very nervous, and I didn'treally know what to expect, but I think I turned that anxiety and put it out on the court. I think the whole team did."
The sweep was apparent from the opening points. Service aces from libero Aine Doty and blocks from Rowland helped set the defensive tone, while outside hitter Maria Brun led the attack with 14 kills on .481 hitting.
CSU head coach Emily Kohan kept the rotations fresh throughout the night, using much of her roster in different combinations as she searched for the best fit. Depth, she explained, will be a strength all season.
"There's a lot of pieces," Kohan said. "To have a team this deep — if injuries happen, or when we're playing six games in nine days — it can be hard and tiring. You can rest some people and others can be ready. So, I'm just really proud of the whole group effort."
But because of her experimenting we're getting to see more of players like Erin Debiec now that last years starting setter, Emery Herman, is gone. Being one of the only freshman on the floor at times, Debiec handled her first college start with grace.
Â
Posting 23 assists and 6 digs, Debiec was working well with main hitter Brun to hit the Raiders where they least expected it.
Â
"In practice it's been different," Brun said. "It's been a really nice change though. She's been doing really good and been practicing really good. And she's putting so much effort in it. She's trying to do her best and that makes us better."
Â
The home crowd played its part as well. Fueled by a roaring student section, the Rams rattled off a 10-0 run in the second set, with "C-S-U" chants echoing off the walls of Moby Arena.
Even Colgate's coach, Ryan Baker recognized the magic.
Â
"When we went to shake hands he goes, 'This has been on my bucket list to play here,'" Kohan said. "'This is unbelievable,' he goes. He knew they had never played in a venue this big also in front of fans like this. I think a big reason why we could walk away with this kind of performance is the way Moby showed up tonight. I know the department is challenging us to break the attendance record again and I've heard the ticket claims for tomorrow get even higher. So, the students keep showing up."
Â
Sweeping the first game of the season was definitely a high start for the season. And rising up as a team was aided by those who have been in the game for a while.
Â
Transfers Rowland and Eve Wilson provided a veteran presence on the court, combining for 13 blocks and 13 kills while holding Colgate to a -.011 hitting percentage. But their relationship began before CSU.
Â
"Me and Eve actually played against each other in the Big South," Rowland said. "We have just formed the best friendship and I think that's how we gel so well. It's been awesome to see us go from competitors to teammates."
Â
Someone who is continually evolving is the team's only libero Aine Doty. Being the player with the most career starts on the roster, she's used to the Moby madness and training under Kate Yoshimoto last season, dives for any ball that comes at her.
Â
Getting 11 digs and five assists, Doty showcased how she will continue to evolve on the roster compared to last season.
Â
"Right now, she's out there most of the time," Kohan said. "So, her leadership and just her composure are great. She's played in more matches than any person on the team. And so, her being able to give to the other five and keep them composed versus just worry about their performance is great. She also had a really nice night tonight."
The night was more than just a win — it was a glimpse at how the Rams' newest era is coming together. With veterans, transfers and freshmen all contributing in different ways, Kohan's roster is still a puzzle in motion. But if Friday night was any indication, the pieces are starting to lock into place.
Fifty years in, Moby Arena is still the heart which drives Ram volleyball. The noise, the energy, the tradition — it's what helps turn nerves into confidence and uncertainty into chemistry. For a team learning who they are, that atmosphere is the final piece that makes the picture whole.
Moby volleyball is back, and the Rams are ready to keep building.
Team Stats
Colg
CSU
Kills
21
41
Errors
22
12
Attempts
90
94
Hitting %
-.011
.309
Points
27.0
59.0
Assists
19
33
Aces
1
7
Blocks
5
11
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
14
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
8
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballMB
/ VolleyballMB/OPP
/ Volleyball
L/DS
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