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Cal Volleyball vs. Colorado on Pac-12 Networks Open Thread

After a very solid showing this past weekend in LA, the Bears are back home to take on Colorado and Utah this week. Can the Bears keep up the high level of play recently and defeat these two teams to make it back to the Top 25 rankings?

By Ruey Yen
The 2013 Cal Volleyball Team Photo
The 2013 Cal Volleyball Team Photo
Cal Volleyball Facebook

Wednesday, Oct. 9
7:30 p.m. PT - Colorado (11-3, 3-1 Pac-12) at Cal (9-4, 2-2)
Haas Pavilion - Berkeley, Calif.
Coverage: Pac-12 Networks,Twitter: @CalVolleyball
Cal All-Time Series vs. the Buffaloes: 3-2
Last meeting: W, 3-2 (9-22-2012)

Colorado have beaten UCLA and then top ranked Washington recently. Are the Buffs for real or did they somehow just took advantage of their unique altitude edge at home? Bears get to play Colorado at home tonight. The resurgent Bears are playing their best ball of the year after sweeping UCLA in LA and then very narrowly got edged by USC in 5 sets.A return to the Top 25 is within sight should the Bears be able to defend their home court this week.

With the emphasis on efficient passing this year (see video below), the Bears attack are currently ranked 13th in the country (4th in Pac-12) with a hitting percentage of 0.290. Junior Christina Higgins who have successfully transitioned to the right side position (played by Corey Johnson last year) averages 3.21 kills per set while hitting 0.321. Senior Adrienne Gehan lead the team with 4.33 kills per set, good for 22nd best in the country. Gehan also contribute defensively with 3.02 digs per set.


Probable Cal Starters
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown
12 Joan Caloiaro S 5-11 Sr. Saratoga, Calif.
5 Adrienne Gehan OH 6-3 Sr. Dallas, Texas
18 Michelle Neumayr OH 6-1 So. San Mateo, Calif.
23 Christina Higgins OPP 6-2 Jr. Inglewood, Calif.
1 Lillian Schonewise MB 6-3 So. Papillion, Neb.
4 Lara Vukasovic MB 6-5 So. Zagreb, Croatia
9 Maddy Kerr L 5-7 Fr. San Diego, Calif.

With the recent success of the Bears, it's time to pay attention to the AVCA Coaches' poll once again. The Bears are 27th in the Coaches' poll (Colorado are 30th) after defeating UCLA and very narrowly losing to the newly minted No.1 USC. Other Pac-12 schools in the Top 25: Washington (6), Furd (8), Arizona State (16), Oregon (22), and UCLA (23).

After two weeks of action, here is the Pac-12 Standings in Volleyball. With a 2-2 conference record, the Bears get to face this week the only pair of teams that are both not ranked in the conference (Colorado and Utah).

Pac-12 STANDINGS

Teams Conf Overall
USC 4-0 14-1
WASHINGTON 3-1 11-1
COLORADO 3-1 11-3
STANFORD 3-1 10-3
ARIZONA STATE 2-2 13-3
UTAH 2-2 13-3
ARIZONA 2-2 12-4
CALIFORNIA 2-2 9-4
OREGON 2-2 9-5
WASHINGTON STATE 1-3 14-3
UCLA 0-4 9-5
OREGON STATE 0-4 9-6

GO BEARS!


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