BUFFS SWEEP VILLANOVA, WIN COLORADO INVITE

Sunday, September 14

Boulder, Colo.

1:00 p.m.

Colorado

Villanova

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

September 14, 2003 | Volleyball

By: Troy Andre, Assistant SID

BOULDER ? The University of Colorado wrapped up its nonconference schedule on a positive note by claiming the 2003 Colorado Invitational after a 30-20, 30-20, 30-25 sweep of Villanova on Sunday at the Coors Events Conference Center.

CU, which defeated Oregon in three games Friday, moved to 8-2 overall in 2003. The Buffaloes begin Big 12 Conference play at home on Wednesday, Sept. 17, against Texas Tech.

The Buffs had a strong day digging the ball, an area the team has struggled with at times this season. Sophomore Nicole Carr had 15 digs to go along with three solo blocks. Freshman Austin Zimmerman had nine defensive saves while junior Allison Barnes and senior Monica Vesanovic each had eight.

'Today we really out served and out passed them,' CU head coach Pi'i Aiu said. 'We put them into a lot of passing trouble and that led to a bunch of our points.'

Three Buffs recorded double-digit kills on the afternoon. Sophomore Allie Griffin led all players with 14 kills and also had seven digs. Senior middle blocker Monique Gerlach had 12 kills and Carr had 10.

'They (Villanova) had a lot of errors today which really seemed to get them out of their rhythm,' Gerlach said. 'We were able to serve extremely well and we put them back on their heels.'

Gerlach earned MVP honors, hitting .340 (24 kills-6 errors-53 attacks) and averaging four kills and 1.5 digs per game over two matches. She has been named to all-tournament teams in all three tournaments CU has played in this fall.

Joining Gerlach on the all-tournament team were Griffin and junior setter Allison Barnes. Griffin led the Buffs in kills (4.17 kpg) and blocks (1.17 bpg) in the tournament. Barnes averaged 14.33 assists per game over the two matches and hit .583 (8k-1e-12 att).

Villanova's Katie Lanting and Kerri Sullivan and Oregon's Jodi Bell and Sarah Mason were also named to the All-Tournament team.