Breaking: 22nd-Ranked Colorado Volleyball Faces Back-to-Back Ranked Opponents, including No. 8 Arizona State, in Crucial Big 12 Matchups at Home
CU Volleyball Looks to Bounce Back Against Top-25 Foes at Home
⚡️ Breaking News ⚡️ The CU Buffaloes women’s volleyball team (20-5, 10-3 Big 12) is set to defend their home turf this week, playing host to back-to-back ranked conference foes. The 22nd-ranked Buffs will first welcome in the No. 16 TCU Horned Frogs (18-7, 8-5 Big 12) on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. MT, followed by a clash with the No. 8 Arizona State Sun Devils (20-3, 11-1 Big 12) on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. MT. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
CU’s Home Stretch Run
This marks the third time this season that the Buffs face back-to-back ranked opponents. With a 3-2 record against ranked foes so far, Colorado looks to improve upon that record and make a late-season push for a top spot in the Big 12.
TCU Re-match: Horned Frogs Hold the Advantage
Last season, in their first-ever meeting, TCU swept the Buffs in Fort Worth, Texas. The Buffs will be out for redemption this time around.
- Series Record: TCU leads, 1-0 (.000)
- Last Meeting: L, 3-0 (Oct. 30, 2024 • Fort Worth, Texas)
- Streak: Lost 1
- Last 10 Meetings: 0-1
ASU Rematch: Sun Devils Hold the Edge
Earlier this season, the Sun Devils took down the Buffs in four sets in Tempe, Arizona. CU seeks to turn the tables at home this time.
- Series Record: ASU leads, 15-13 (.464)
- Last Meeting: L, 3-1 (Oct. 10, 2025 • Tempe, Arizona)
- Streak: Lost 4
- Last 10 Meetings: 4-6
Buffs’ Record-Breaking Season
In their second year back in the Big 12, the Buffs have already surpassed preseason predictions. Picked to finish 10th, CU currently sits second in the conference standings and has notched their 13th 20-win season, the first since 2022.
Did you know? The Buffs are receiving votes for the ninth week this season and have been ranked in the AVCA Coaches’ Poll for six consecutive weeks, reaching as high as 18th.
CU’s Standout Stars
- JR PIN Ana Burilovic leads the team with 282 kills and ranks seventh in the NCAA with a 5.47 points per set. She’s also 11th in kills per set and 39th in aces per set nationally.
- R-JR S Rian Finley is sixth in the Big 12 with a 9.57 assists per set average.
- JR PIN Sydney Jordan is sixth in the Big 12 with 0.35 aces per set.
- JR MB Cayla Payne ranks fourth in the Big 12 with a .355 hitting percentage, the team’s highest.
- SO MB Maria Splawska is ninth in the Big 12 with 1.18 blocks per set.
Team Stats
As a team, the Buffs are:
- 3rd in the Big 12 in aces per set (.157)
- 6th in hitting percentage (.250)
- 5th in blocks per set (2.54)
- 4th in opponent hitting percentage (.183)
Buffs Looking to Extend Head Coach’s Milestone
In his 10th season at the helm, head coach Jesse Mahoney has led the Buffs to a 161-131 (.551) record and three NCAA appearances. He became the third coach in program history to reach 150 wins with a victory against Denver earlier this season.
FAQ
Q: How have the Buffs fared against Big 12 opponents this season?
A: CU has a 10-3 record against Big 12 foes, including a 6-1 mark at home.
Q: Which Buffalo has come close to achieving a significant milestone?
A: JR PIN Sydney Jordan is 10 digs away from reaching 500, while SR DS/L Sarah Moton needs 104 digs to hit 1,500.
Mileage Milestone: JR MB Cayla Payne and JR PIN Ana Burilovic have each recently eclipsed significant milestones – Payne with 300 blocks and Burilovic with 100 blocks.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the Freshman Middle Block Maria Splawska, who led Team Poland to a sixth-place finish at the FIVB Women’s U21 World Championship this summer.
CU Volleyball’s Home Stretch: What’s Next?
With a pair of top-25 matchups on the home docket, the Buffs have a chance to climb the rankings and cement their status as a Big 12 heavyweight. Watch CU take on the Horned Frogs and Sun Devils on ESPN+ and follow along with live stats on CUBuffs.com.