Mike Brohard / Loveland Reporter-Herald)
FORT COLLINS — Tom Hilbert felt one of the strengths of his team was depth, but it wasn't exactly as if the Colorado State coach wanted to test the theory.
Through nine matches this season, he's had no other choice, especially when it comes to his middle hitters. Thankfully for the No. 22 Rams, they had options, and Paulina Hougaard-Jensen's play to this point has been one of the reasons the team has climbed in the rankings.
They had two all-conference middles returning in Kirstie Hillyer and Axi Poletto, but Poletto has played just three sets, and Hillyer has had to set out the past 12 because of injuries.