Colorado’s Rian Finley and Maria Splawska go up for the block against CSU at the CU Events Center on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent).
The University of Colorado Buffaloes volleyball team (9-2) fell to the Colorado State University Rams (6-4) on Friday night in four sets, a day after they lost in three sets to their in-state rival. Despite impressive showings from junior pin attacker Ana Burilović, who had a season-high 22 kills, and setter Rian Finley, who posted 41 assists, Colorado was unable to counter Colorado State’s well-balanced attack. With the victory, Colorado State will win this year’s Battle of the Golden Spike and the Buffaloes will end non-conference play with just two losses, both to the Rams.
Colorado came out hot in the first set. Whether fired up by the home crowd or eager to prove themselves after the night before, the Buffs quickly took charge, going on a 7-1 run, fueled by Burilović and junior pin attacker Sydney Jordan, to establish a 12-5 lead and force Colorado State to call a timeout.
The Buffs didn’t slow down. Sophomore Katie Salonga got two back-to-back aces for Colorado, and the Buffs dominated the Rams to win the first set 25-11.
The second and third sets saw a slow in Colorado’s energy. Colorado State took early leads in both, and Colorado was forced to play catch-up. The Rams went on a run to go up 14-9 in the second set, forcing a Colorado timeout.
Colorado had 10 kills in the second set and was able to force a competitive finish. As Colorado State sat at 24, a block by middle blocker Maria Splawska and outside hitter Lily Dwinell sent the crowd into a frenzy as Colorado got within three points, and Colorado State called a timeout. The Rams won the second set on the next play 25-21.
The third set was a similar story. Colorado State took an early lead, getting up 10-3 and forcing another Colorado timeout. The Buffs’ defense initially looked scattered against Colorado State’s aggressive attacks, but a big-time block by Splawska and Burilović fired up the home crowd and began a Buffs comeback. Back-to-back kills and solo block by junior middle blocker Cayla Payne kept them going, and Colorado State called a timeout with the score even at 14.
Several long rallies showcased both sides’ dynamic defense, and hard hits by both kept the crowd loud as the teams traded points. Burilović slammed down a hit for the Buffs to take their first lead of the game 17-16.
However, Colorado State regained the lead and continued to stay just out of reach. Despite seven kills from Burilovic, the Rams took the third set 25-21.
The fourth set seemed to initially swing in favor of Colorado. With a new spark of energy, the Buffs got started on the right note with a kill from Burilović followed by two aces in a row from Jordan.
The fourth set saw a more balanced attack from Colorado, with blocks and kills from Dwinell, Payne and Finley helping Colorado jump to a 12-6 lead.
A run by Colorado State brought them to trail Colorado 13-11, and Colorado called a timeout. Splawska had two hits straight down to help Colorado stay ahead, but it remained a tight game. Strong blocks by the Rams helped them catch up to the Buffs, and the teams traded points back and forth.
The fourth set came down to the wire, as Burilović hit a kill to tie it at 24. Nevertheless, Colorado State ultimately won 26-24 to take the set and match.
“I thought it was a good, competitive match,” Colorado head coach Jesse Mahoney said. “I was excited about the way we started the match. We had great energy.”
Mahoney said that, going forward, the Buffs would need more contribution on offense. “We need more players that can score,” he said. “We need two of our three pins to be scoring, and hopefully both middles are scoring.”
Colorado’s Lily Dwinell, Ana Burilovic and Cayla Payne line up at the net against CSU at the CU Events Center on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent).
This match marks the end of preseason play for the Buffs, and they will look ahead to Big 12 play next week.
“[We are] nine and two in the preseason,” Mahoney said. “We feel like we’re in a good place and battle tested and ready to go into conference play.”
The Buffs will travel to Utah next week to begin Big 12 play against the Brigham Young University Cougars (11-0) on Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. MDT (ESPN+).
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Lila Nuttle at lila.nuttle@colorado.edu
