UPDATE: The Colorado Buffaloes volleyball team suffered a devastating defeat in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, falling to the host Indiana Hoosiers with a final score of 3-0 on December 5, 2025, at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington, Indiana. This loss marks the end of CU’s season and their quest for a Sweet 16 appearance.
In a match where momentum shifted dramatically, the 15th-ranked Hoosiers (25-7) dominated the fifth-seeded Buffaloes (23-9) with set scores of 25-20, 25-17, 25-23. Despite strong starts in each set, Colorado struggled to maintain control, succumbing to Indiana’s powerful offensive plays.
Buffaloes head coach Jesse Mahoney acknowledged the challenge of facing a top-tier team in a hostile environment. “We made some errors at inopportune times, and Indiana definitely made great plays when it mattered,” Mahoney stated. The Buffs had their chances, particularly in the first and third sets, but ultimately couldn’t capitalize on key moments.
Indiana’s standout players, Candela Alonso-Corcelles and freshman Jaidyn Jager, led the charge with a combined total of 31 kills and impressive hitting percentages of .556 and .375, respectively. The Hoosiers boasted a team hitting percentage of .378, overshadowing Colorado’s .208.
Leading the way for the Buffaloes was Ana Burilovic, who recorded 19 kills, while teammates Sydney Jordan and Cayla Payne contributed 7 kills each. However, the team’s inability to stop Indiana’s aggressive offense proved costly.
The match saw a strong start from the Buffaloes, who jumped to an early lead in the first set. However, the Hoosiers quickly equalized and seized control. Colorado fought back in the second set to briefly take the lead, but Indiana unleashed a decisive 5-1 run to secure the set. In the critical third set, CU held a 22-17 lead, but Indiana executed an astonishing 8-1 run to clinch the match.
Senior Sarah Morton, who hails from Munster, Indiana, expressed mixed emotions after the match. “It was great to look in the stands and see a lot of familiar faces,” she said, while also lamenting the end of her collegiate career. “I’m proud of this team and how we fought until the very end.”
Despite the disappointment, the Buffaloes can take pride in their remarkable turnaround this season. After finishing with a 13-17 record last year, they exceeded expectations by finishing third in the Big 12 and reaching the NCAA Tournament.
Coach Mahoney remains optimistic for the future, stating, “Going through a season like this is going to be a learning experience for us, and I fully expect us to be a better team next year.”
The Buffaloes’ journey may have ended, but their resilience and growth throughout the season will leave a lasting impact as they look forward to the next chapter.
