No. 23 Colorado kept rolling Friday night at the CU Events Center, making quick work of Wichita State in a 25-18, 25-21, 25-19 sweep to move to 4-0 on the season.
The Buffs have yet to drop a set through four matches, and this one marked their fourth straight three-set sweep to start the year. Colorado is now 12-0 in sets.
“I thought that was a really good game. I felt like we got better as the match went on,” Head Coach Jesse Mahoney said.
“Everyone contributed. So excited for where we are so far, and have two more good matches left this weekend, so we got to be ready for them.”
Colorado had to answer a few early punches, especially in the first and third sets, but each time the Buffs settled in and took control with their block, serve and steady finishing at the net.
In the opening set, senior MB Cayla Payne helped Colorado jump out to a 3-0 lead, and senior PIN Ana Burilovic and senior PIN Sydney Jordan kept the pressure on as the Buffs stretched the advantage to 6-2. Wichita State clawed back to tie it at 13-13, but Burilovic answered with an ace to push Colorado back in front before senior PIN Lily Dwinell helped extend the margin. Burilovic finished the set with the final kill for a 25-18 win.
Set two stayed tighter for longer. The Shockers grabbed the early edge, but Burilovic’s kill helped swing the momentum, and a block assist from Jordan and freshman MB Barbora Rakauskaite brought things level at 7-7.
Dwinell kept Colorado ahead at 12-9, then Burilovic delivered again to make it 15-12. Junior DS/L Tinons Munar Galmes then added back-to-back aces to widen the gap to 18-12.
Wichita State made a late push and trimmed the deficit to three, but a Shocker error ended it at 25-21.
The third set followed a similar script. Colorado opened by falling behind 3-0, then ripped off six straight points to flip the match.
Wichita State closed to 12-9, but Dwinell and Rakauskaite teamed up for another block assist to give the Buffs more breathing room. From there, Colorado surged on a 6-1 run capped by Burilovic, and sophomore PIN Ines Losada put the match away with the final kill at 25-19.
Burilovic led the charge again, finishing with 16 kills and reaching double-digit points for the fourth straight match with 18. Jordan added six kills with no errors and hit .400, while Payne contributed 8.5 points on six kills and five blocks.
At setter, senior Jenna Ylivainio delivered 35 assists, a season and career high, with zero errors. Munar Galmes turned in a season-high 15 digs and five assists, and Rakauskaite added five blocks, 4.5 points and two digs. Colorado also got a return to the court from sophomore Maria Splawska after an early-season injury.
The numbers told the story too: Colorado hit .312 as a team, while Wichita State managed just .108. The Buffs also owned the net, finishing with 10 blocks to the Shockers’ three.
The win moved Colorado to 2-1 all-time against Wichita State, and the teams had not met since Sept. 9, 2004.
“I think we just really want to start strong these two weeks because we have really great matches, really high-level volleyball games coming up, and I think we want to be as ready as possible,” Munar Galmes said.
In Other News...
Colorado Needs To Figure Out Ernest Campbell Before This Becomes Bigger
Ernest Campbells first game in a Colorado uniform was more about waiting than making plays, as the receiver saw limited action and finished the season opener against Georgia Tech without a catch. Even so, his profile still stands out for the Buffaloes. Campbell brings the kind of speed that can change how a defense lines up, and he already has a track record with Colorado offensive coordinator in the system from his Sacramento State days.
For Colorado, the question now is how long it can afford to keep that kind of weapon underused. The Buffaloes do not need to force-feed Campbell, but they do need to find spots where his burst matters, whether that is in situational packages or on special teams. If his role stays this small, it becomes harder to justify leaving one of the rosters most intriguing pieces on the margins. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Is Bringing Back A Folsom Field Atmosphere Fans Remember
Colorado heads back to Folsom Field this week looking to keep the early momentum rolling after its 14-13 road win over Georgia Tech, and the home opener will come with a familiar visual. The Buffaloes announced a white-out theme for the upcoming game against Weber State, asking fans to show up in white and help recreate the kind of atmosphere that has given this program a big-game feel in recent seasons.
It is the sort of home-game detail Colorado supporters tend to embrace, especially after a season-opening victory that featured important contributions across the roster, including running back Damian Henderson II and edge rusher Lamont Lester Jr. The buildup now shifts from a gritty road finish to a setting that should feel much louder and more energized, with the Buffaloes hoping the crowd response matches the occasion. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Finally Got The Breakthrough This Locker Room Needed
Colorados long wait for a win finally ended in a way that fit the urgency of a locker room desperate for something to build on. The Buffaloes knocked off Georgia Tech 14-13 after a strong defensive effort and enough production on the ground to stay within striking distance all afternoon, snapping a losing streak that had stretched for 327 days.
For a roster that has been reshaped so dramatically, the significance went beyond the final score. Plenty of players were celebrating their first win in Colorado colors, and a team that had spent nearly a year searching for a breakthrough suddenly had one it could point to, lean on and measure itself against going forward. [Read more 🡒]