November 09, 2026 | Volleyball
BOULDER — Jenna Ylivainio booked a one-way ticket to the United States to continue fulfilling her dream of playing volleyball with a touch of nerves, loads of excitement, and a visa that arrived six hours before take-off.Â
Ylivainio had never visited the United States prior to committing to Colorado, and was worried she had missed her window of opportunity. The thought of playing college volleyball sounded fun, but she was sure it was too late for her. When she got the call from Head Coach Jesse Mahoney, she jumped at the opportunity.
"She's a skilled setter with great court awareness, makes good decisions, and has the ability to put her teammates in positions to succeed," Mahoney said on the recruitment of Ylivainio.Â
At 23, Ylivainio brings maturity and experience to the court, while simultaneously being the newest teammate on a veteran roster and adapting to her surroundings. Given her volleyball experience, the senior knew there would be high expectations.Â
"It was not that common in Finland to go to the U.S.," Ylivainio said. "I knew I was going to be the oldest; I was a little bit nervous about it. I know that I have experience so I need to show it on the court and help the team, which I love to do."Â
Finland's Finest
Ylivainio first picked up volleyball when she was eight years old, a point in her life where she needed a hobby, not a career. As the tallest on her team, she was positioned as a middle. At 13, her coach saw her potential as a setter and experimented with her role on the floor.Â
"I don't want to be a setter, I want to kill the ball," Ylivainio said. "But then, I started to play setter, and it's better to be a setter than a middle for me. Now, I love it."Â
She began competing for Finland's top team, Hämeenlinnan Lentopallokerho, at 15.
"There was a team that had been super successful in Finland," Ylivainio said. "They asked me to come to practice to see how the level was and to develop as a player."Â
Ylivainio continued to play professional volleyball in Finland before showcasing her skillset in Belgium on another pro team. After nearly a decade of professional volleyball, the setter was ready for her next adventure in the United States.Â
Becoming a Buff
Ylivainio was tackling a new challenge she had yet to experience as an athlete: college classes. Managing a school schedule while staying focused in practice and competing at a high level was an added element for the senior.Â
The idea of athletes coming to play on a team for numerous years was also a foreign concept to Ylivainio, but one she found enjoyment in. Â
When she met her teammates at CU, the bond was immediate. The nerves faded and turned to excitement, as there was little time between touching down in Denver and the start of the season. The setter was signed to Colorado on July 27, less than a month before the season home opener and just weeks out from practice, but Ylivainio reflected fondly on how welcoming the program was.Â
"It's more common here to have the same team every year. Usually in the pros, it changes a lot every year," Ylivainio said. "It's really fun here that we're super close outside of volleyball."Â
As the season began, Colorado hosted six straight matches at home before back-to-back road matches and a showdown with in-state rival Colorado State. Ylivainio was quick to anchor the offense and communicate effortlessly with her teammates on the court, guiding the Buffs to a 9-0 start on the season.Â
"I think Jenna is doing a great job," Mahoney said after Colorado's sweep against Central Arkansas. "She's getting better every day and connecting with our attackers really well."Â
The senior is also actively climbing the Colorado all-time leaderboard in assists. In just 14 matches, Ylivainio reached 500 assists, becoming the fastest Buff to reach the milestone in the rally-scoring era, and the second-fastest in Colorado volleyball history.Â
"We've had good games. We still have time to grow," Ylivainio said. "[My goal is to] work hard every day and do my best to help the team."Â
Home Away From HomeÂ
Ylivainio is focused on ending the season on a high note, but as it comes to a close, she has eyes on additional items to check off her U.S. bucket list, including a trip to New York at Christmas time.Â
Home, meanwhile, is never as far as it seems. With Finland nine hours ahead of Boulder, Ylivainio has dialed her parents in the middle of the night on more than one occasion just to say hello.Â
"I want to thank them for supporting me. I talk with them a lot," Ylivainio said. "Sorry dad for waking you up."Â
The setter has come a long way in a short period of time, becoming an integral part of Colorado volleyball this season. With the love from her teammates, the coaching staff and her family cheering her on from afar, the Finland native has found her footing in Boulder.
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