Buff volleyball (2-0, 2-0, Receiving votes (RV) in this week's coaches' poll) hopes to continue its season this weekend as they host the Golden Bears (0-4, 0-4) at the Events Center. (I've been trying to hold off posting these match threads too early with the pandemic delays, but with almost every Olympic sport team in action this weekend, thought I'd post this now while I have more time, especially since there's a preview article already out.)
(Note- Cal is having to "roster up" hard this season, but still took a set against both the teams they've played so far (UCLA and Utah, the favorites to end up conference champions). They lost both of their middle blockers from last season (both were All-Pac 12 1st team honorees) to transfer. In addition, their other All-Conference 1st team player, an outside hitter who led their team in kills and points per set last season and from what I understand is also an elite defensive player, has chosen to concentrate on their beach team this season so isn't playing indoors. They also had an incoming transfer from Arizona who was 2nd in their team in kills last season who also decided to concentrate on beach. (Although hopefully it is/ was is not serious and she'll be good to go in Boulder, they also have a freshman outside hitter, who's leading the team in kills per set so far this season, who did not appear in their last match's box score.))
Both games are supposed to be available via free live stream. (More details below.)
Go Buffs!!!
Preview -
Direct link - https://cubuffs.com/news/2021/2/2/volleyball-colorado-returns-home-against-cal.aspx
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BOULDER – The University of Colorado volleyball team returns to action after a week off with a pair of matches against Cal Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at noon here.
Colorado (2-0) is one of three unbeaten teams in the Pac-12 if Stanford is included without having played a match. The Buffs trail No.8 Utah (4-0) in the standings. Cal (0-4) is one of three teams in the conference without a win, including Stanford and Arizona.
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SCOUTING CAL
Cal is searching for its first win of the season after facing No.22-ranked UCLA (now 18th) and No.8 Utah. In both matchups Cal took the second set of the first match, including a crazy 39-37 second set win against UCLA. Every second match was a sweep. The Golden Bears are hitting .138 in four matches while their opponents are hitting .321.
The team is led by Lydia Grote and Katarina Pantovic with 32 and 30 kills, respectfully. Grote also leads the team with a .299 hitting percentage. On the defensive side of the ball, Bella Bergmark has a team-best 12 blocks and Lexi Gruszczynski has 36 digs.
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A little more on the Bears -
Roster - https://calbears.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster
Stats - https://calbears.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats#individual
Schedule - https://calbears.com/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule
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Media links:
Live video - Both matches are scheduled to be available on free live stream at https://pac-12.com/live/cubuffs .
Live stats - https://cubuffs.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
(Note- Cal is having to "roster up" hard this season, but still took a set against both the teams they've played so far (UCLA and Utah, the favorites to end up conference champions). They lost both of their middle blockers from last season (both were All-Pac 12 1st team honorees) to transfer. In addition, their other All-Conference 1st team player, an outside hitter who led their team in kills and points per set last season and from what I understand is also an elite defensive player, has chosen to concentrate on their beach team this season so isn't playing indoors. They also had an incoming transfer from Arizona who was 2nd in their team in kills last season who also decided to concentrate on beach. (Although hopefully it is/ was is not serious and she'll be good to go in Boulder, they also have a freshman outside hitter, who's leading the team in kills per set so far this season, who did not appear in their last match's box score.))
Both games are supposed to be available via free live stream. (More details below.)
Go Buffs!!!
Preview -
Direct link - https://cubuffs.com/news/2021/2/2/volleyball-colorado-returns-home-against-cal.aspx
"
BOULDER – The University of Colorado volleyball team returns to action after a week off with a pair of matches against Cal Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at noon here.
Colorado (2-0) is one of three unbeaten teams in the Pac-12 if Stanford is included without having played a match. The Buffs trail No.8 Utah (4-0) in the standings. Cal (0-4) is one of three teams in the conference without a win, including Stanford and Arizona.
...
SCOUTING CAL
Cal is searching for its first win of the season after facing No.22-ranked UCLA (now 18th) and No.8 Utah. In both matchups Cal took the second set of the first match, including a crazy 39-37 second set win against UCLA. Every second match was a sweep. The Golden Bears are hitting .138 in four matches while their opponents are hitting .321.
The team is led by Lydia Grote and Katarina Pantovic with 32 and 30 kills, respectfully. Grote also leads the team with a .299 hitting percentage. On the defensive side of the ball, Bella Bergmark has a team-best 12 blocks and Lexi Gruszczynski has 36 digs.
"
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A little more on the Bears -
Roster - https://calbears.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster
Stats - https://calbears.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats#individual
Schedule - https://calbears.com/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Media links:
Live video - Both matches are scheduled to be available on free live stream at https://pac-12.com/live/cubuffs .
Live stats - https://cubuffs.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary