The Rams (28-4) won the Mountain West Conference Tournament on
Sat. Nov. 22 with a win over second-seeded University of Utah
(20-8). They also set a record for wins. After winning their 21st
consecutive game against Long Beach State University
(17-9) on Nov. 25, the Rams broke the record of 20 straight wins
set in 2001.
“This has been one of the greatest weeks since I’ve been here,”
said head coach Tom Hilbert, this year’s MWC coach of the year.
“I’m really proud of our team and I’m proud of our program. It’s an
exciting time for CSU volleyball.”
The Rams beat a second-half surging Utah team in four games
(30-26, 23-30, 30-20, 30-28) to win the conference tournament in
San Diego, Calif., and preserve their perfect conference
record.
They became the first one-seeded team in MWC history to win the
tournament.
Sophomore outside hitter Tess Rogers, who was named the
tournament MVP, had a big match for the Rams with 21 kills and two
service aces. Junior Bri Frech scored the winning point with a
service ace, her second of the match. Four Rams hit double figures
in digs and kills. Setter Melissa Courtney, named co-MWC Player of
the Year, hit a team-best .636 with seven kills and 53 assists.
The Utes also had four players with double digit kills and hit
.297 as a team. Junior Lyndsey Henderson had 18 kills. Senior
libero Jackie Morrill had 20 digs for the Utes.
It was a great match by two great teams,” Utah head coach Beth
Launiere said. “We laid it on the floor. I have to congratulate
CSU. I don’t think there’s anything else we could have done.”
CSU’s match against LBSU on Nov. 25 was over in three games and
for the second straight time, a service ace was the deciding factor
this time by junior middle blocker Katie Jo Shirley.
Shirley recorded 14 kills and hit a match-high .619 with only
one error on the night. Rogers had 11 kills and sophomore
right-side hitter Dre Downs had 12. Frech and Downs both had four
blocks.
“We started out strong and blocked really well,” Hilbert said.
“Knew we had to get a lot of balls to Dre and she came through big
for us. LBSU is a great defensive team and they provide a lot of
challenges to you because of that and it took a little while for us
to adjust to.”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.