ZIMMERMAN's 19 KILLS LEAD BUFFS OVER RAIDERS

Wednesday, September 17

Boulder, Colo.

7:00 p.m.

Colorado

Texas Tech

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

September 17, 2003 | Volleyball

By: Troy Andre, Assistant SID

BOULDER ? University of Colorado freshman Austin Zimmerman had a career-high 19 kills to lead the Buffs to a 30-22, 28-30, 30-20, 30-22 victory over Texas Tech University in the Big 12 Conference opener for both teams, Wednesday evening at the Coors Events Conference Center.

Colorado won its third straight match to improve to 9-2 overall, 1-0 in the Big 12. The Buffs are off to their best start since 1998 when they began the season winning 13 of their first 15. Texas Tech falls to 8-2, 0-1 in the Big 12.

Zimmerman, a true freshman from Cheney, Wash., has stared every match this fall at right side hitter. She hit .353 in the match (19 kills-7 errors-34 attacks) and also had seven digs and five blocks.

'I think the preseason really got me ready and into the flow,' Zimmerman said. 'There is great leadership on the team so it was really easy to step in right away. We have a strong freshman class so it is an honor to start.'

The sophomores aren't so bad either. The second-year duo of outside hitter Nicole Carr and middle blocker Allie Griffin combined for 26 kills 14 digs and seven blocks. Defense was a key as the Buffs held Texas Tech to a .113 hitting percentage (48k-31e-151att) in the match, and just .020 (12k-11e-51) in the pivotal game three where CU took back momentum.

After controlling game one, CU faltered in game two allowing the Red Raiders back in the match. The Buffs hit just .136 in the second frame (17k-11e-44att) and blew a 27-26 lead with the help of back-to-back hitting errors.

CU took back momentum in game three, thanks to solid defense that picked up everything Texas Tech hit over the net. Seven different Buffs had at least five digs in the match led by senior Monique Gerlach who had 11 and Carr who had 10. Gerlach, who also had 15 kills, and Carr each had double-doubles.

'This match was really important,' CU head coach Pi'i Aiu said. 'It was important because we lost to them last year (in Boulder). Now we have a big one in Kansas, a team we went 0-2 against last year. That will be a big match.

CU will travel to play Kansas on Saturday, Sept. 20, in Lawrence, Kan., for a noon MST start.