Baylor volleyball plays three matches in Colorado

Junior middle hitter spikes the ball as freshman outside hitter Katie Staiger (right) and redshirt freshman middle hitter Sam Hill go for the block during the season opening Baylor volleyball Green vs. Gold scrimmage at the Ferrell Center on Tuesday, August 27, 2013.  Travis Taylor | Lariat Photo Editor
Junior middle hitter spikes the ball as freshman outside hitter Katie Staiger (right) and redshirt freshman middle hitter Sam Hill go for the block during the season opening Baylor volleyball Green vs. Gold scrimmage at the Ferrell Center on Tuesday, August 27, 2013.
Travis Taylor | Lariat Photo Editor
By Shehan Jeyarajah
Sports Writer

“The scrimmage kind of got our preseason jitters out of the way,” said sophomore outside hitter Thea Munch-Soegaard. “We’re really excited to go to Colorado this week.”

Head volleyball coach Jim Barnes was optimistic about this team heading forward.

“We’ve always had a good middle attack, but this year we will also have a very talented and aggressive pin hitter attack,” Barnes said. “Our speed at offense is exceptional and our blocking will be one of the tops in the league.”

Colorado State is coming off of a 21-8 season in the Mountain West, where they shared a conference title. CSU made the tournament for the 18th consecutive season last year. They return junior setter Deedra Foss, who was named All-Mountain West last season.

Baylor’s next game is a neutral site game against Cal Poly in Greeley. Cal Poly finished with a record of 4-26, including 0-7 in neutral site games last season. The Mustangs return former Big West Player of the Year and senior middle hitter Jennifer Keddy who did not play last season due to injury problems.

The Bear’s final game of the weekend pits them against Northern Colorado in Greeley. Northern Colorado is coming off of a 24-11 season with second straight Big Sky Conference title and NCAA Tournament berth. The UNC Bears return two-time All-Big Sky middle blocker and junior Andrea Spausat.

“I’m so excited,” freshman outside hitter Katie Staeger said. “I think we’re going to go really far and do the best that Baylor has ever done in the Big 12 and hopefully get a Big 12 Championship.”

Baylor volleyball plays Colorado State at 7 p.m. on Friday, against Cal Poly at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday in Greeley and against Northern Colorado at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday in Greeley.