CSU triumphs in Pac-12 debut

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Sep 26

11:00 AM

Volleyball

at Texas State

Oct 1

7:00 PM

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at Gonzaga

Oct 3

12:00 PM

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at Utah State

Oct 8

7:00 PM

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vs Washington State

Oct 10

1:00 PM

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vs Oregon State

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
San Diego St.	25	19	14	19	1
Colorado St.	23	25	25	25	3

San Diego St.

Colorado St.

Colorado State started its tenure in the Pac-12 conference strong, defeating San Diego State 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-19).

In the three previous matchups, CSU defeated SDSU 3-1, a seemingly common score for these two teams. The Rams came into conference play with a 7-3 record, only losing to nationally ranked teams, No. 11 SMU, No. 19 North Carolina and No. 17 Colorado.

"Our non-conference schedule did a really good job of preparing us for conference," sophomore Sofia Zabjek said. "We had some tough competition, so it was definitely a good opportunity for us to test our game before it was in conference when the games really mattered."

Preparing for Pac-12 play, the Rams took down Colorado last weekend, sweeping the Buffs at home and bringing back the Golden Spike.

Being dubbed the predicted winner of the Pac-12 in CSU's inaugural season, the Rams knew they had a reputation to uphold.

"Going into this and going into conference, we know we have that target on our back. We were talking between the second and third set; we want teams to play their best against us. We want that competition," Zabjek said. "We want the challenge. It's really a good opportunity for us even after the first set to really step it up and bring our game."

Another recognition for CSU came even before conference play, with Kekua Richards being named Pac-12's player of the week.

Richards entered her first conference game and recorded eight kills and eight blocks against SDSU.

"We work on it every single day. I can't get better without my teammates, so it's like a reward for all of us," Richards said. "We try our hardest just to be as best and big as we can, so it's super cool."

SDSU started off hot and heavy, with an immediate kill from Haylee Brown in the first set and established the tone for the game.

"San Diego State is probably one of the best passing running teams in this conference. They were doing a great job in their serving paths and how they were able to run their middles a bunch," Richards said. "We weren't really expecting that if I'm going to be honest. We had to change our mindset and try and get them out of system a little bit more, so we focused on our blocking too."

Despite the instant intensity, the Rams kept their composure and returned the favor with a kill from Zabjek, her first of 12 kills for the match.

As both teams swapped kills and blocks, the Aztecs took the first set 25-23. A team known for their aggressive play and passing skills, the Rams had to adjust early.

"The first set is about how San Diego State is at passing. We were serving tough, but San Diego State is one of the country's best passing units. We were really frustrated because they had these perfect, perfect passes, and their center was slinging balls around," coach Emily Kohan said. "It was almost like men's volleyball. It was just kill, kill, kill. We played well, but it was just punch for punch."

An intensity the Rams were warned of; they didn't let themselves falter and kept the score close even being outplayed.

After dropping the opening set, CSU found its rhythm by leaning into its physicality at the net, turning the momentum of the match around.

"The set score was close, but we really didn't feel like with our energy that we felt like in the game or anything," Zabjek said. "In between sets and just going into the next set, we really wanted to pick up our energy, bring a bit more positive vibes and just like celebrating each other more."

Although a close set, the Rams needed to ignite a flame in their team and prove the predictions right.

The Rams rallied around each other, and without scolding or yelling from their head coach, they dove into the second set.

"Honestly, after the first set, I watched our team kind of own the huddle. There was a timeout at the end of the first set, and I didn't even say anything," Kohan said. "They just held the huddle and kept talking, and people were speaking up. My favorite teams are player-led teams, if I can just get out of the way on that, it's great."

Whatever was said between the first and second sets clearly made an impact on CSU, scoring the first six points unbroken. The Rams took the second set and used their height and build to counteract the strong San Diego State hitters. Much like the second set, the Rams dominated the third with Moby Madness roaring behind them, a familiar sound which brought life back into the team.

By night's end, the Rams had made their point, hitting .317 while using 14 blocks to keep the Aztecs' offense at bay and limiting them to just a .126 attack percentage. Halle Jameson led the team with 13 kills, while Zabjek had an impact defensively with seven blocks.

"Moby is the best place to play volleyball, and I think when we start to get the crowd going up like that, it just changes how we play completely, and I'm super grateful for this community. I'll say it over and over again," Richards said. "They change how we play, and I think that's the one thing that we miss when we're on the road."

To finish off the night, the Rams completed the victory in the fourth set, clinching their first win and putting their names in the history books.

However, this is just the start, with many new opponents the Rams are ready to face.

"Every single win is a nice little checkmark; that one is done. We have them again at San Diego State, and they will continue to get better, and they will want some revenge," Kohan said. "You have to close the chapter on the game that just happened really fast and just look forward to the next one as quickly as you can."

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