University of Colorado Athletics
Colorado
2-0,0-0Big 12
Central Arkansas
0-2,0-0WAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Ark. | 13 | 25 | 18 | 0 |
| Colorado | 25 | 27 | 25 | 3 |
Colorado Wins In Three Against Central Arkansas
August 29, 2026 | Volleyball
BOULDER — No. 23 Colorado volleyball (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) swept Central Arkansas (0-2, 0-0 UAC) in three sets (25-13, 27-25, 25-18) on Saturday night at the CU Events Center. This is the first time these opponents have matched up against one another.
During the second set of the contest, on her fifth ace of the night, senior DS/L Avery Bolles recorded her 100th career service ace, making her the 10th Buffalo in Colorado history to reach the mark.
"Another good win at home. I really felt like we did a lot of really good things in this match," Head Coach Jesse Mahoney said. "I am happy with where our defense is, and I felt like our offense was a little bit better tonight as well."
KEY PLAYERS:
- Senior PIN Ana Burilovic: Led the team with 15 receptions and 14 kills, as well as two assists and one service ace.
- Senior PIN Sydney Jordan: Recorded seven kills and a block.
- Senior PIN Lily Dwinell: Secured eight kills.
- Senior MB Cayla Payne: Saw six kills and a solo block.
- Freshman MB Barbora Rakauskaite: Had four kills and four block assists, while hitting .429 (1e, 7att).
HOW IT HAPPENED:
-
Colorado opened the match with an immediate 4-0 run, sparked by a kill from Burilovic, marking her first of 14 in this contest. An ace from Bolles extended the Buff lead (8-2 CU). Colorado continued to connect offensively as Rakauskaite, Payne and Jordan recorded kills in the first set. The teams exchanged points until a service ace from junior DS/L Tinons Munar Galmés initiated a 3-0 run capped off by a kill from senior PIN Lily Dwinell (19-9 CU). A second ace from Bolles commanded a 22-10 CU lead, forcing Central Arkansas to use a timeout. Back-to-back kills from Burilovic and sophomore PIN Inés Losada finalized the first set (25-13 CU).
-
The start of the second set began much more evenly matched, alternating the lead through the first 10 points. Back-to-back errors gave both teams room to capitalize before two kills from Burilovic closed in on the Sugar Bears' lead (15-13 UCA). The Buffs continued to battle as Jordan tied the contest up with a kill, set up by senior setter Jenna Ylivainio (20-20). Colorado entered set point with high intensity and a defensive wall before ultimately securing the second set (27-25 CU).
-
Burilovic got the Buffs going in the third set with a kill on the first serve, but the Sugar Bears evened the match at 2-2. Another ace from Bolles put Colorado back in the lead (4-2 CU). After an unsuccessful challenge from Central Arkansas, Colorado took an 8-5 lead with a kill from Dwinell. The Sugar Bears tied the set at 10-10, but the Buffs answered with a kill from Payne. A pair of newcomers sparked a 5-0 run as Rakauskaite recorded a kill, assisted by Ylivainio (19-15 CU). Finishing with a Burilovic kill, the Buffs took the final set of the night (25-18 CU).
UP NEXT: The Buffs will face off against Denver at 2 p.m. MT at the CU Events Center in the final contest of the Buffs Classic. The contest will be streamed on ESPN+, and fans can follow along via live stats links on CUBuffs.com. Tickets can be purchased here.
MATCH NOTES:
-
Colorado is 1-0 all-time against Central Arkansas.
-
The Buffs had 41 kills and 14 errors, while Central Arkansas had 28 kills and 24 errors.
-
In the second set, Bolles tallied her 100th career service ace. She recorded five on the night.
