FORT COLLINS — As the season unfolded and the wins piled up, being undefeated was somewhat of a novelty for the Colorado State volleyball team.
It was unexpected for a team that was supposed to be rebuilding, but instead, the Rams (23-0, 14-0 Mountain West) have just redefined themselves along the way, rising to No. 9 in the national polls two weeks ago and sitting at No. 10 now.
“I think it was a really cool way to start the season. It was very unexpected,” libero Jaime Colaizzi said. “That wasn’t something that our community or even our coach was expecting from us. I think that was great. Now, just being able to maintain that means all the more.”
In fact, it could mean a lot.
As the final three weeks of the regular season unfold, staying undefeated is more than a goal now, it’s really a necessity for the team if it wants to host during the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Coach Tom Hilbert knows as much, and so do his players.
“I think even if we go undefeated, we might not host,” said Hilbert as his team prepares for back-to-back home matches at Moby Arena against New Mexico (Thursday) and Air Force (Friday). “Certainly it’s one of the things that will help us, so yes, I will concede that.”
No longer do they ask after Monday’s practice where they are ranked, but rather they want to know where their RPI sits. As of this week, it’s No. 19, and that makes them somewhat of a longshot to host in the first round.
It’s happened twice in each of the past two years that a team lower than 16th in the RPI has hosted, the period of time when the NCAA starting looking at RPI more than the polls. Last year, a No. 19 team did host, but that’s the only time.
Illinois, sitting at 18th in RPI, is just 12-12. The Rams have just one win over a team in the top 50 (Texas A&M, 46) and six in the top 70.
The conference isn’t helping. The Lobos are next best at 61 and Fresno State sits at 80.
“There’s definitely that pressure of trying to stay undefeated and our RPI is moving up,” setter Deedra Foss said. “We’re staying at No. 10 (in the polls), so knowing that if we lose once, our RPI will go down and so will our ranking, so there’s pressure there.”
First, the Rams have to officially qualify for the NCAA Tournament, and that will take achieving the main goal from the beginning of the season, that being winning the Mountain West for a fifth straight year.
The Rams can claim at least a share of that crown this week with a pair of wins, as both New Mexico and Fresno State are 10-4 in MW play entering the week. While the idea of running the table in the regular season could bring some stress, Hilbert isn’t worried about how his team has or will handle the task.
“I think that’s why we are where we are, because they’ve handled it as well as we have,” Hilbert said. “They just go into each match with no fear.”
Match by match is how the Rams say they will approach the final six matches (including a trip to Fresno State), hoping their goals will fall into place along the way.
“I think it’s really important for us to not look at the big picture quite yet,” Colaizzi said. “We need to keep playing one match at a time, win one set at a time.
“The NCAA’s are now closer in our range now, but the Mountain West conference comes first.”
Hilbert signs Hanna, Poletto with Simpson expected to ink in the spring
Colorado State’s 10th-ranked volleyball team added to the program Wednesday with the signing of two players to national letters of intent. However, the Rams expected to add a third, but Doherty setter Gabby Simpson, named a second-team AVCA Under Armour All-American last week, has decided to wait until April to sign her letter.
Coach Tom Hilbert did receive letters from Jasmine Hanna and Alexandra Poletto, two players he feels very strongly about in the future.
Hanna, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Queen Creek, Ariz., was an honorable mention All-American pick on the AVCA Under Armour team and has twice been named all-state.
“She’s a very physical outside hitter,” Hilbert said. “She’s strong and has a great upside. She still needs development in terms of ball control, not just as a ball handler, but in hitting. She’s a kid that has a great motor and really wants to be good.”
In Poletto, a 6-3 middle, Hilbert has once again gone north of the border to find talent in Canada. A strong club performer, she’s had her most success playing beach volleyball, earning a gold medal with the U21 team and is training to qualify for the U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships.
“I think she’s a real find,” Hilbert said. “She’s 6-3, she’s athletic, she’s one of the best beach players in the country at her age. She can hit and block and is very high. I think she is probably better than most people think. Penn State took a kid from her same area, and I think Alexandra is better.”
While many expected Simpson to also send in her letter, her father, Rick, said she decided to wait until April, a decision he supports.
“I just think the push to sign early is ridiculous,” he said. “At this point, nothing has changed. She is still committed to Colorado State. She just wants to wait.”
Rick said Gaby just recently turned 17, and he said it’s “not like we’re hanging out her shingle back out.” While he said she has indicated nothing has changed in her decision to play for the Rams, he noted she is young and things can change.
Players can still sign early up through next Wednesday.
Mike Brohard can be reached at 635-3633, mbrohard@reporter-herald.com and @mbrohard
