Colorado State volleyball gains an understanding

Alexandra PolettoFORT COLLINS — Tom Hilbert expected to see a little bit of everything, and the Colorado State coach knew he had to view his young team in a different way.

It was hard at times.

"I know," he said, playing with his glasses. "I'm still working on it, man."

Which brought knowing laughs from his players in Friday's postgame presser, two of whom were among the three true freshmen to start against North Dakota State in the season opener at Moby Arena. By the end of the festivities, seven players made their debuts in CSU uniforms, complete with the tag of the No. 25 team in the country in the preseason polls.

As impressive as the group looked in practice — and seven of the 15 Rams are…