Colaizzi leader of a stingy defense for No. 8 CSU
When the job is done well, volleyball fans aren’t looking at the libero at the end of a play.
The defensive specialist is a vital member of a volleyball team, but their play often elicits a quick gasp from the crowd, quickly replaced by a roar after a big kill.
It’s all part of the job.
“It’s all about the kills, but it feels really good to know that we’re giving our team another opportunity to kill the ball.”said Jaime Colaizzi, CSU’s junior libero.
The former Windsor High School star is giving her team more opportunities then ever, as she leads a defense that has helped propel Colorado State University to its highest national ranking since 2004.
The Rams (9-1) are No. 8 in the nation, with their only loss coming to No. 4 Wisconsin.
Colaizzi is second in the Mountain West at 4.71 digs per set, just below the CSU’s single-season record of 4.75 held by Izzy Gaulia.
Colaizzi has been best in the biggest matches. Over the past five matches, she’s averaging 5.69 digs per set, including totals of 19 against Wisconsin and 16 in a win over No. 9 Brigham Young University.
“She has a bunch of good qualities. First, she’s fast. Second, she’s great at low range. Third, she’s always in the right place, even if it seems like the wrong place. She’s got great instincts,” CSU coach Tom Hilbert said. “She’s got the whole package. The only thing she lacks is physical length, but she makes up for that with quickness.”
Colaizzi has improved every year, going from 1.99 digs per set as a freshman to 4.08 as a sophomore to where she is this season going into this weekend’s tournament in Tempe, Arizona, with matches against No. 18 Arizona State, Pepperdine and North Carolina Central.
Her comfort and leadership have grown as she commands a defensive unit that Hilbert leaned on to carry the team while young players gained experience on the front line.
Working with Colaizzi on the back line usually are Dri Culbert, Cassidy Denny and Kaitlind Bestgen. All have now spent significant court time together and the cohesiveness of the unit is showing.
“It puts some pressure on us because we’re expected to be good every game, but I’m really excited about it,” Colaizzi said. “We’re better defensively than we’ve been in a really long time. It feels good to have that stability.”
The defensive tenacity of CSU is quickly becoming its calling card.
The Rams are “difficult to play against,” as Hilbert says. They don’t give away points, and with Colaizzi, Culbert, Denny and Bestgen chasing down balls, they are very difficult to score against.
Hilbert said a key dig is like an offensive rebound in basketball. It’s deflating to the opponent while giving a team scoring opportunities.
“I don’t think we’re this tremendous force. I don’t look at my team and go, ‘Wow, this player is like an aircraft carrier. She can beat anybody,’ ” Hilbert said. “We just don’t give stuff away. We play with maturity and we make teams earn everything.”
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle at twitter.com/Kevin_Lytle and at facebook.com/KevinSLytle.
Next up: CSU at Arizona State, 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19.
Then: CSU vs. Pepperdine, 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 in Tempe, Arizona.
CSU vs. North Carolina Central, 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 in Tempe, Arizona.
Twitter updates: @CSURamsGameday