Colorado
Wichita State
Colorado Volleyball Primed For Buffs Invitational
September 02, 2026 | Volleyball
BOULDER - No. 23 Colorado volleyball (3-0, 0-0 Big 12) will host the Buffs Invitational at the CU Events Center this weekend. Colorado will be competing against Wichita State, New Mexico and Northern Colorado, with matches starting on Friday, Sept. 4 and continuing through Sunday, Sept. 6. CU is coming off three-straight sweeps in the Buffs Classic Tournament last weekend.
MATCH #1 - Friday, Sept. 4 - 6 p.m. MT
Colorado vs. Wichita State (2-1, 0-0 American)
SERIES RECORD: 1-1
LAST MEETING: 3-0 win (Sept. 9, 2023 - Wichita, Kan.)
STREAK: Won 1
OPPONENT WEBSITE: https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-volleyball
MATCH #2 - Saturday, Sept. 5 - 6 p.m. MT
Colorado vs. New Mexico (0-2, 0-0 Mountain West)
SERIES RECORD: 1-3
LAST MEETING: 3-0 win (Sept. 10, 1999 - Albuquerque, N.M.)
STREAK: Won 1
OPPONENT WEBSITE: https://golobos.com/sports/wvball
MATCH #3 - Sunday, Sept. 6 - 3 p.m. MT
Colorado vs. Northern Colorado (0-1, 0-0 Big Sky)
SERIES RECORD: 6-2
LAST MEETING: 3-2 win (Oct. 28, 2025 - Greeley, Colo.)
STREAK: Won 1
OPPONENT WEBSITE: https://uncbears.com/sports/womens-volleyball
FIRST SERVE:
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Colorado took first place in the Buffs Classic. Senior S Jenna Ylivaninio and junior DS/L Tinons Munar Galmes were named to the Buffs Classic All-Tournament Team. Ylivaninio had 90 assists and eight blocks. Munar Galmes had 29 digs and nine assists.
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Senior PIN Ana Burilovic was named MVP of the Buffs Classic. She started and played in all three matches and appeared in all nine sets over the weekend. She boasted 37 kills, reaching double-digits in two matches. With her kills this past weekend, Burilovic moved to seventh place in all-time kills at Colorado, totaling 1,098.
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Senior PIN Sydney Jordan was another Buff who led Colorado to the Classic title. She started in all three matches and played in all nine sets. Jordan recorded 20 kills, three blocks and 20 digs across the three matches.
ROAM WITH THE BUFFS: All Colorado matches, including the neutral-site matches, will be broadcast on ESPN+. Fans also can follow Colorado matches through live stats with links available at cubuffs.com. Fans can purchase tickets for any home match here.
MILESTONE WATCH:
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Burilovic is approaching sixth place for most kills in a career at Colorado during the rally-scoring era. She currently boasts 1,098 through the start of her fourth season; she will need 44 to pass Amber Sutherland.
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Burilovic also holds 2,906 career attacks. She currently sits in sixth place and needs 47 more to reach the top five in all-time career attacks during the rally-scoring era.
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Senior DS/L Peyton Neal is approaching 1,000 career digs. She is currently at 960.
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Senior DS/L Avery Bolles passed 200 career digs and 100 career aces over the Buffs Classic Tournament.
SENIOR CORE: CU is returning six seniors from its 2025 campaign: Bolles, Burilovic, Neal, Jordan, MB Cayla Payne and PIN Lily Dwinell.
DEFENSIVE POWER: Colorado set an all-time CU record for most blocks in a three-set match with 19 against Denver.
"Nineteen blocks in a three-set match is amazing," Head Coach Jesse Mahoney said. "I thought our middles did a really nice job closing, and our right side pins set the block extremely well."
Colorado's newcomers put their defensive prowess on display during the Buffs Classic. Munar Galmes, the Washington State transfer, saw 29 digs across three matches. Lithuania native and freshman MB Barbora Rakauskaite recorded 15 assisted blocks alongside 13 kills.
In addition, senior duo Payne and Burilovic had 15 and seven blocks, respectively.
"This is maybe the first year that I don't have to pick and choose a zone for everybody," Mahoney said. "We have kids that can really put pressure on themselves and hit in every zone."
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.
