Colorado
Maine
VB Sweeps Maine, Claims Tourney Title
September 13, 2002 | Volleyball
The University of Colorado volleyball team (6-4) swept the Maine Blackbears (3-6) 30-15, 30-15, 30-17 Saturday night here at the Coors Events Center, enabling the team to win their second straight and ninth overall Colorado PowerBar Invitational.
Freshmen Drew Hays and Allie Griffin; senior Sara Fredrickson and junior Monique Gerlach led the Buffs against Maine with eight kills apiece. Sophomore Allison Barnes hit a perfect 1.000 with six kills and had a career-high 27 assists taking the setter duties from Elizabeth Gower after the first game. Freshman Maragda Santillana and senior Meghan Barkman also had solid performances as both hit over .500 in the match.
"We're winning matches," head coach Pi'i Aiu said. "We can play better, and we're going to have to play better. We have to continue improving as the season continues."
Gower and Carr were both named to the All-Tournament team while Gerlach was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. "I wasn't expecting to be selected," Gerlach said. "As a team we played well, it was a great tournament with great players. It was a real honor to be selected MVP."
Carr's performance in the tourney was especially impressive given the fact that in her first action at home against Colorado State, she hit -.375 and had five hitting errors in eight attacks. She turned it around and against Texas-Arlington Friday night, as the Wauwatosa, Wis., native had 20 kills and 24 digs, becoming just the second freshman in program history to record a 20-20 match.
"I was a little nervous at first, it was all a little overwhelming," Carr said. "This tournament, I tried to settle down, relax and play my game."
Clair Poliquin led the Blackbears with 10 kills and a .714 hitting percentage in the match while Leah Guidinger was named to the All-Tournament team after an impressive weekend. Guidinger and the three Buffs were joined by Texas-Arlington's Melissa Robinette and Olaya Pazo and Bowling Green's Susie Norris on the All-Tourney team.
The Buffs will now have just a couple of days rest before starting the Big 12 conference schedule on the road at Baylor this coming Wednesday, Sept. 18, in a 6 p.m. MT first serve. The Buffs will then return home to the Coors Events Center where they hold a perfect 4-0 record in 2002 on Saturday, Sept. 21 as Texas A&M visits Boulder in a 7 p.m. MT match.
"Baylor is a very good team, it is always tough being on the road, especially at Baylor," Aiu said. "We are going to have to play our best. Our previous matches with Baylor have always been close, and we need everybody to play at their best."
