LARAMIE, Wyo. (Oct. 12, 2015) – On the heels of two-consecutive straight set victories, the Cowgirl volleyball team will travel to face No. 21 Colorado State on Tuesday for a matchup between the league’s top-two teams and then take on San Jose State on Thursday to continue Mountain West play. First serve is scheduled at 7 p.m., MT for both matches.
“I thought this past weekend we responded about as well as we could have,” UW head coach Chad Callihan said. “We are preparing on a short week, but CSU knows us and we know them. We realize this is a big match and they have our respect, we know how good of a team the Rams have been this year. I really think it may come down to who can execute in critical moments for us.”
Wyoming eased its way to a 5-1 start in MW action by sweeping Air Force last Thursday and New Mexico on Saturday. Kayla Slofkiss and Laura Beach have continued to lead UW offensively. Slofkiss is the team-leader with 182 kills, while Beach is fourth in the MW hitting .360 (171-41-261) on the season. Freshman Reed Copeland once again begins the week leading UW with 1.58 blocks per set for a total of 101 on the year. Courtney Chacon has 364 assists, while Allison Waldvogel is close to the 300 mark for digs on the season.
Colorado State holds a 13-3 overall mark and a perfect 6-0 record in MW play. CSU also swept both New Mexico and Air Force this past weekend. The Rams are led by Alex Reid and Adrianna Culbert offensively. Reid is third in the MW with an average of 3.31 kills per set. Culbert is next in line for CSU with 130 kills on the season. Acacia Andrews is leading the MW hitting .435 (110-17-214) this season and is third in the league in blocks with 1.31 per set. Crystal Young averages 6.44 assists per set for CSU and Jaime Coliazzi is fifth in the MW with 4.21 digs per set. Culbert is also fifth in the MW in service aces, and ninth with an average of 3.35 points per set.
San Jose State brings a 10-9 overall record and 2-4 mark into this week’s MW action. The Spartans are currently on a three-match losing streak, having lost to New Mexico, Boise State and Utah State in straight sets. The Spartans have been paced by Tyanna Roy and Sara Hibbs this year. Roy has 178 kills, as Hibbs has chipped in 166. Allison Meehan is eighth in the conference with 7.16 assists per set, while Yavianiz Rosado and Luiza Andrade lead SJSU with 221 and 212 digs, respectively.
Wyoming is looking to snap an eight match losing streak to CSU. UW’s last victory against the Rams came on Oct. 8, 2011. The Cowgirls have won the last four matches against San Jose State.