TUCSON, Ariz. – Taylor Simpson recorded a match-high 15 kills on .444 hitting to lead Colorado (13-6, 5-4 Pac-12) to a 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-23) victory over Arizona (15-6, 5-4 Pac-12) on Friday night inside the Coors Events Center.
The Buffaloes finished with an advantage in just about every statistical category on the night. CU hit a strong .333 while Arizona recorded just a .127 hitting percentage. The Buffaloes also out-dug and out-blocked one of the top defensive teams in the Pac-12.
Kerra Schroeder complimented Simpson as she added 11 kills of her own to go with six digs. Simpson turned in a double-double as she also added 11 digs and five blocks.
Madi Kingdon led Arizona with nine kills but hit just .033 on the night, while Taylor Arizobal was the most efficient Wildcat as she recorded seven kills on .353 hitting. Penina Snuka dished out 26 assists and Candace Nicholson led the defense with 12 digs.
The Wildcats got off to a strong start in the opening set as they took a 12-8 advantage. However, Colorado quickly gained some momentum with a 5-1 run to tie the score 13-13. From there, the Buffaloes took control thanks to a 3-0 run and a 5-0 run late in the set as they took the opening frame, 25-18. The Wildcats hit -.107 in the set.
Colorado could not be stopped in the second set as it hit a strong .452 to earn a 25-19 victory. The Buffaloes grabbed the lead early in the set and never relinquished the advantage from there.
The third set was back and forth throughout as both teams held the lead at points in the set. After a Laura Larson service ace tied the score at 20-20 for the Wildcats, Colorado won the next two points to take a 22-20 lead. The two teams traded points and Arizona pulled to within one at 24-23, but Simpson ended the night with her 15th kill to give Colorado the victory.
Arizona will close out the weekend with a match at Utah on Sunday at 1 p.m. The match will air live on the Pac-12 Networks.
For continued coverage of Arizona Wildcat volleyball, visit ArizonaWildcats.com and be sure to follow the team on Twitter @ArizonaVBall.
