Boulder – The Colorado women’s volleyball team has been a regular participant in the NCAA Tournament, having qualified for the 15th time in the past 16 seasons. But starting tonight, CU gets to host first- and second-round matches for the first time since 1997.
Colorado (16-11) faces No. 19 New Mexico State (33-3) at 7 p.m. today in the second match of a first-round doubleheader at the Coors Events Center.
Colorado State (20-9) plays in the 5 p.m. opener against third- ranked Washington (25-4). The Huskies are the defending national champions.
Today’s winners will play Friday in a 7 p.m. match for a ticket to an NCAA Regional in Seattle.
CU finished 12-8 in the Big 12 Conference, in a tie with Iowa State for fourth place. The Buffaloes are led by senior setter Ashley Nu’u, an Aurora native who earned first-team all-Big 12 honors. Nu’u ranks third on CU’s career assists list with 4,226. Junior outside hitter Amber Sutherland and sophomore middle blocker Lauren Schaefer were named honorable mention all-Big 12.
CSU will be making its 12th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament and reached 20 victories for the 18th time. The Rams won the Mountain West Conference Tournament with an upset, five-game victory over No. 11 Utah.
Washington returned three starters off its title team, including 2006 Pac-10 player of the year Christal Morrison, a junior outside hitter. New Mexico State was runner-up to 12th- ranked Hawaii in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament.
Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
