by UW Athletic Communications
BOULDER, Colo. – The Huskies set themselves up for a chance at a Pac-12 title in the regular season finale on Saturday, overcoming a tough test from Colorado today at the CU Events Center. 12th-ranked Washington (23-4, 16-3 Pac-12) overcame a 19-23 third set deficit to win 26-24 to go in front two sets to one, and the Huskies then closed out the victory in set four.
The final scores of Washington’s seventh-straight win were 25-17, 21-25, 26-24, 25-19. The Dawgs cruised to the opening set and led 15-13 in the second before Colorado (15-13, 6-13 Pac-12) stole the momentum on its Senior Day, winning set two and holding the late lead in set three. But the Huskies responded to the challenge and will control their Pac-12 title fate on Saturday against 21st-ranked Washington State. A win will clinch a share of the title, as UCLA also won on Wednesday to also improve to 16-3.
Washington hit .301 for the match as Ella May Powell distributed 47 assists. Colorado hit well at .279, but the Huskies had an edge in kills (63-55), aces (8-4), and digs (49-42).
Claire Hoffman impressively battled back from a slow start to lead the Huskies with 17 kills. She had five kills but six errors after two sets, but in sets three and four, Hoffman had 12 kills and just two errors to hit .416. Senior Samantha Drechsel put down 16 kills with 11 digs and freshman Emoni Bush had a stellar day with 13 kills on a .423 attack percentage, tying her season-high. Bush had three kills in four points when UW rallied from the 19-23 third set deficit.
