CSU VOLLEYBALL

Colorado State's hosts Wyoming in virtual must-win

Kevin Lytle
kevinlytle@coloradoan.com

The term "must-win" is overused in sports.

But for the CSU volleyball team to host first- and second-round NCAA tournament matches, its almost certain that the Rams have to beat rival Wyoming Wednesday night (7 p.m., Moby Arena).

Wyoming most likely would need to beat CSU to reach the tournament with an at-large bid. The Rams won 3-0 in Laramie in October

"I think Wyoming's a very good team. It will be a fun one to end on," middle blocker Kelsey Snider said. "I know they have really good (middle blockers), which can create issues blocking. They're pretty well rounded."

The NCAA tournament selection show is at 6:30 p.m. Sunday (ESPNU). The Rams are currently 16th in RPI, which is typically the final team to play host to first- and second-round tournament matches.

Seniors Deedra Foss, Marlee Reynolds and Snider will play their last regular season game at Moby Arena.

The seniors — who have a combined record of 127-23 over the last five seasons — will be honored before the match. Following the contest, the Rams (28-2, 16-1 MW) will have a trophy presentation for winning the conference.

Then it's down to the waiting game. CSU knows it will be in the NCAA tournament for the 20th season in a row but are hoping to host.

Also, Foss was named the Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week on Tuesday, a day after winning the Mountain West's weekly award.

Foss had 13.33 assists, 1.17 blocks and 1.00 kills per set as No. 9 Colorado State University went 2-0 last week and clinched its sixth-consecutive MW title.

The native of McKenna, Washington, is the seventh CSU player to win the national award. The last was Megan Plourde in 2012. Junior Adrianna Culbert was named espnW's National Player of the Week earlier this season.

Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle at twitter.com/Kevin_Lytle and at facebook.com/KevinSLytle.

Next up: Wyoming at No. 9 CSU, 7 p.m. Wednesday

Listen: 90.5 KCSU

Twitter updates: @Kevin_Lytle

Note: Due to early deadlines with the Thanksgiving holiday, the result of Wednesday's game will not be in the print edition of Thursday's Coloradoan. For a full story and photo gallery of the Mountain West trophy celebration, visit Coloradoan.com/sports.