Volleyball team hopes for big crowd against Wyoming

Revenge against the University of Wyoming for last week’s

football loss could come tonight.

The No. 15 ranked CSU women’s volleyball team (20-4, 11-0

Mountain West Conference) hosts the Wyoming Cowgirls (14-12, 3-8)

in Moby Arena at 7 p.m.

On Oct. 10 in Laramie, Wyo., the Rams handed the Cowgirls a loss

in three games by scores of 30-25, 30-18 and 30-20. The Rams have

won the past 11 matches between the two teams.

“That was one of our best matches of the season,” said head

coach Tom Hilbert.

Lately, Wyoming has struggled, losing its last four matches in

conference play. Meanwhile, the Rams have been on a roll since

September, winning 13 straight matches, the longest streak since

2001 when the team won 20 straight.

However, the Border War mentality and the sour taste of four

straight losses could serve as a platform for the Cowgirls to break

out.

“The other team (that lost) has the advantage and they’re going

to get better,” Hilbert said. “When it comes to ranking you can

throw that out the window.”

Senior outside hitter Michelle Rauter leads Wyoming with 4.03

kills and .35 service aces per game. Junior middle blocker Jill

Roslund has a team best .300 hitting percentage.

As a team the Cowgirls are hitting .277 and averaging 13.64 digs

and 15.18 kills per game.

The Rams have some players close to career milestones. Junior

libero Lindsey Kerr needs five more digs to reach 900 and junior

middle blocker Katie Jo Shirley needs 18 for 500. Sophomore outside

hitter Tess Rogers needs 10 more blocks for the 100th of her

career.

Shirley leads the Rams in hitting percentage at .402 and junior

outside hitter Becky Sarauer averages 3.98 kills per game.

After being on the road, players would like to see a big home

crowd. Family Weekend may produce just that.

“We love the support, and it helps to have big crowds,” Kerr

said.

Hilbert hopes to see a crowd similar to last year’s Family

Weekend crowd.

“It was a pretty good crowd last year,” Hilbert said. “It’s

always a tough match.”