Colorado University Athletics
Burilovic Named To AVCA Division I Player Of The Year Preseason Watch List
July 30, 2026 | Volleyball
BOULDER, Colo. – Colorado volleyball fourth year pin attacker Ana Burilovic (Split, Croatia) was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association's (AVCA) Division I Player of the Year Preseason Watch List on Thursday, July 30.
The award honors the top collegiate volleyball players and is presented by Nike Volleyball.
Following last season, Burilovic was selected to the AVCA All-America Third Team. This selection made her the volleyball program's seventh All-American (sixth athlete), and she collected the fifth presented by the AVCA (since 1981).
"Being named to the AVCA Player of the Year Watch List is a tremendous honor for Ana and a reflection of the consistency and excellence she's shown throughout her career," head coach Jesse Mahoney said. "What makes her special isn't just her talent - it's the way she competes every day and the standard she sets for everyone around her. This recognition is well deserved, and we're excited to see what she accomplishes this season.
In 2025, she led the Big 12 in points per set with 5.47, good for sixth in the NCAA, and in kills per set with 4.71, good for ninth in the country. She was also third in conference for aces per set with 0.43, landing at 46th in the country. In the NCAA, Burilovic was also fifth for total points (656.0), seventh for total attacks (1,424), eighth for total kills (565), 17th for attacks per set (11.87), and 23rd for total aces (51).
Thirty student-athletes across the country were placed on the Player of the Year Preseason Watch List.
Burilovic begins her season on Aug. 28 as the Buffs face California State University, Northridge, at CU Events Center.
For more information on the Colorado volleyball team, please visit cubuffs.com/vb. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffsvb on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
