Some goals take a while to attain. The Creighton volleyball team reached some short-term goals a week into the regular season.
- Start the season as a top 25 team…check.
- Beat a top 25 team….check.
- Beat a conference favorite…check.
- Win an Invitational…check.
- Rise in the polls…check.
CU head coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth and her Bluejays opened their season with a weekend sweep at the Hampton Inn Invitational in Bowling Green, Ohio. Creighton started their run to that invite title with a 3-1 win over nationally ranked BYU. After losing the first set 25-22, CU rallied back with three straight sets to get a win. The Cougars were the highest-ranked team that Creighton has ever beaten. With as many returning starters as the Bluejays had, it was freshman Jessica Bird who, in her debut, led the Bluejays with 14 kills and 12 digs in the victory last Friday night.
The next day, Creighton turned right around and swept tournament host Bowling Green 3-0. Bird, Leah McNary, and Kelli Browning led a balanced attack with their kills and blocks to keep the Mid-America Conference preseason favorites off balance. All-tournament team member and Big East Player of the Week Michelle Sicner looked like a veteran filling in a vital role as the new Bluejay setter. The Bluejays walked away with a tournament win.
With the two big wins, the Bluejays moved up to No. 19 nationally. The Jays open their home season on Friday night hosting their annual Bluejay Invitational against three challenging teams. Here is what to expect to see this weekend at D.J. Sokol Arena:
Friday, September 6, 6:00 p.m. vs. Northern Colorado
Creighton opens the home slate against Northern Colorado on Friday night. The Bluejays are pretty familiar with the Bears, having dominated UNC’s tournament last season out in Greeley, Colorado. UNC comes into the weekend with a 2-1 record, including victories over Cal-Poly and Baylor. The Bluejays are 2-1 against Northern Colorado all-time and the Bears are appearing in their second Bluejay Invitational; they lost to host CU in 2005. Nebraska natives Andrea Spaustat (Omaha Marian High School) and Makenna Meier (Waverly High School) get an opportunity to play in front of family and friends.
Saturday, September 7, Noon vs. South Florida
South Florida is another familiar foe coming to Omaha for the Bluejay Invitational. Creighton went to Florida last season to take on the Bulls and other teams in USF’s invitational. The Bluejays dominated last season, sweeping the Bulls 3-0. USF went 3-1 last weekend at their invitational, falling to Miami (Fla.) in four sets before picking up wins over The Citadel (3-0), Austin Peay (3-1), and Ball State (3-2). This is only the second meeting ever between Creighton and South Florida.
Saturday, September 7, 7:30 p.m. vs. California
The Bluejays will close out their invitational against the Cal Bears. California was an NCAA tournament team last season, and the Bears return three starters and their libero. Cal also brings Papillion La Vista South’s Lillian Schonewise back to the Omaha Metro.
The Bears dominated in their home openers against Nevada and New Mexico State. This is the first meeting between the Bluejays and Bears, and CU hasn’t had much luck against Pac-12 teams (0-5 record all-time).
The Bluejays have a great opportunity to keep building that early resume against some quality teams this weekend at the Bluejay Invitational. Creighton has hosted its invitational since 2005, but have yet to win their own invite. This could be the weekend they finally do. They can then take another goal off their growing list for the 2013 season.