Colorado junior pin attacker Ana Burilović slams down a hit against Toledo at the CU Events Center on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Scott Tan/CU Independent)
The second day of the Buffs Invitational was a success for the University of Colorado women’s volleyball team. The Buffaloes (8-0) swept the Toledo Rockets (6-2) Saturday night, picking up their eighth win and sixth sweep of the season, remaining undefeated.
The first set featured back-and-forth action and eventually saw momentum slide towards the Buffs. Junior pin attacker Sydney Jordan recorded two aces and a kill in a 6-0 run which put Colorado ahead 13-9.
This run was met with a series of errors by the Buffs. Toledo’s Kelsey Smith and Iremnur Elmas combined for four aces while the Buffs didn’t help themselves, recording four errors in the Rocket’s 9-1 run, bringing the score to 20-16 in favor of Toledo.
“We struggled in that first set. They served really well, and we gave up a lot of free points,” head coach Jesse Mahoney said.
Junior pin attacker Ana Burilović put down three kills in the Buffs rally to take the first set 25-22.
Adjusting their service helped the Buffs get back into the game, Burilović especially standing out in the second set. The Buffs were able to get out to a 10-4 lead as her long serving run saw the ball fall for three aces.
Burilović, Jordan and junior middle blocker Cayla Payne each had three kills in the second set as the Buffs cruised to a 25-15 win.
Colorado junior pin attacker Sydney Jordan goes for a hit against Toledo at the CU Events Center on Saturday, Sept. 13. (Jake Chau/CU Independent)
During the third set, Toledo was able to hold the Buffs close with the score knotted at nine before a 7-1 run helped the Buffs pull away, eventually taking the set by another 25-15 score.
“We were able to right the ship there in the second half of that set, and I think we did a really nice job in sets two and three, certainly from a serving standpoint and from a defensive standpoint,” Mahoney said.
Setter Rian Finley, who had 25 assists on the night, said she clicked with her teammates through communication.
“I really thrive getting feedback from my hitters, because sometimes I don’t deliver a perfect set that they’re wanting,” said Finley “Having that open communication line with my hitters is my main goal of making sure I can deliver what they need.”
Libero Sarah Morton was able to dig the ball out 10 times, including some big momentum swinging plays.
“It’s a lot about energy and grit, and if we win those big momentum plays, that’s amazing, that’s going to lead into the next point, and the next point, ultimately the set,” Morton said.
“[We’re] happy to get out with a win, a 3-0 win, especially with three matches on a weekend, because we’ve got a quick turnaround to play tomorrow,” Mahoney said.
Thursday, Sept. 18, the Buffs will take on the Colorado State Rams at 6:00 p.m. at the CU Events Center.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jake Chau at jake.chau@colorado.edu
