Sophomore Gwen Schiff celebrates after a kill against the University of Houston on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (Jake Chau/CU Independent)
The University of Colorado women’s volleyball team (13-2, 4-0 Big 12) cruised to a three-set sweep against the University of Houston Cougars (8-7, 1-3 Big 12) on Oct. 4.
Junior pin attacker Ana Burilović, who was coming off a 32-kill performance against the UCF Knights on Oct. 2, picked up where she left off. She opened the first set with a kill and a solo block on the first two points en route to an early 12-5 lead in the first set.
Middle blocker Maria Splawska jumped in the attack with two kills, putting the Buffs up 21-12.
The Cougars’ Kellen Morin had two back-to-back blocks in the middle of a 7-1 Houston run, that brought the first set score to 24-20 while they attempted to crawl back.
Burilović put down her fifth kill of the first set, ending the Cougars’ run and giving the first set to Colorado 25-20.
The Buffs and Cougars went back and forth to open the second set, tied at 5-5.
Junior Sydney Jordan got hot with two kills and an ace in the middle of a 5-2 run, giving a 10-7 edge to Colorado.
The Buffs took off from there, with junior Cayla Payne putting down two kills in a 12-4 Colorado run, giving them the lead 23-12.
Three errors from the Buffs gave Houston some points at the end of the second set, but a Cougars’ service error gave the second set to the Buffs, 25-15.
Burilović’s third kill of the third set ended a 4-0 Houston run and gave Colorado an early 8-6 lead.
The Buffs used that lead to cruise to a 25-19 third set win, completing their ninth sweep of the season.
Junior Peyton Neal digs out a ball against the University of Houston on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (Jake Chau/CU Independent)
CU’s serving game proved strong. Libero Sarah Morton put down two aces on consecutive serves at the end of the third set, giving her a team-leading three aces in the game. Colorado went on serving runs of three points or more eight times during the game against Houston.
“I think when we’re on, we can be a really, really excellent serving team,” head coach Jesse Mahoney said.
Jordan had nine kills and two aces against the Cougars, being more involved in the attacking game and taking a step forward from her sophomore year.
“Honestly, I’m just trying to do the best I can every day,” Jordan said. “I think I put too much pressure on myself last year, and I think that this year I’m kind of just stepping into my role, doing absolutely anything I can to help the team win.”
Splawska received praise from Mahoney on her defensive impact, but she was also able to create offense with four kills against Houston.
“I feel so confident right now, so that’s why I’m smiling,” Splawska said.
Colorado now sits atop the Big 12 standings through two weekends of conference play.
“We’re just paying attention to what’s in front of us, and that kind of stuff will take care of itself,” Mahoney said.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jake Chau at jake.chau@colorado.edu.
