Joseph Williams, Ana Burilovic and Hope Leyba
Trio Earn CU Athlete Of The Week Honors
September 30, 2026 | Football, General, Soccer, Volleyball
BOULDER — Hope Leyba (soccer), Joseph Williams (football) and Ana Burilovic (volleyball) were named the CU Athletes of the Week for the week of Sept. 21-27.
Leyba led the Buffaloes to their fifth-straight win in their Big 12 Conference opener against West Virginia at Prentup Field on Sept. 24. Leyba led the Buffaloes with five shots, four being on goal, reaching 128 shots on goal and moving into sole possession of second on Colorado's all-time list. She is three points away from the record. Leyba's game-winning goal marked the 39th of her career, tying Taylor Kornieck for the third most goals in Colorado program history, and she only needs one more to take the sole possession. Additionally, she accomplished the 85th point of her career, moving her to fourth on Colorado's all-time list.
Williams had 11 receptions for 127 yards, a touchdown, and completed a pass for 49 yards at Baylor on Sept. 26. It's his sixth career 100-yard receiving game, third at Colorado and second in the past three games. His 11 receptions tied for ninth-most in CU history with his 49-yard completion the third-longest by a wide receiver. Williams is the third player at Colorado to have 100 yards receiving and complete a pass in the same game, and only the second to have 10 receptions and complete a pass. He is the first player in CU history with 11 receptions and a completion.Williams has totaled 20 receptions for 38 yards and four touchdowns the last three weeks.
Burilovic and the Buffaloes fought through five sets against Arizona at the CU Events Center on Sept. 27. Burilovic notched a season-high 28 kills, 68 attacks and 32 points. Additionally, she had 13 digs, marking her third double-double of the season and 13th of her career. Against Arizona, she tallied four aces, three coming consecutively and shifting the momentum to guide Colorado to a win after dropping the previous two sets against the Wildcats.
Also Nominated:
Brandon Knight (Men's golf)
Brenna Higgins (Women's golf)
Yukiko Ikedo (Tennis)
Leyba led the Buffaloes to their fifth-straight win in their Big 12 Conference opener against West Virginia at Prentup Field on Sept. 24. Leyba led the Buffaloes with five shots, four being on goal, reaching 128 shots on goal and moving into sole possession of second on Colorado's all-time list. She is three points away from the record. Leyba's game-winning goal marked the 39th of her career, tying Taylor Kornieck for the third most goals in Colorado program history, and she only needs one more to take the sole possession. Additionally, she accomplished the 85th point of her career, moving her to fourth on Colorado's all-time list.
Williams had 11 receptions for 127 yards, a touchdown, and completed a pass for 49 yards at Baylor on Sept. 26. It's his sixth career 100-yard receiving game, third at Colorado and second in the past three games. His 11 receptions tied for ninth-most in CU history with his 49-yard completion the third-longest by a wide receiver. Williams is the third player at Colorado to have 100 yards receiving and complete a pass in the same game, and only the second to have 10 receptions and complete a pass. He is the first player in CU history with 11 receptions and a completion.Williams has totaled 20 receptions for 38 yards and four touchdowns the last three weeks.
Burilovic and the Buffaloes fought through five sets against Arizona at the CU Events Center on Sept. 27. Burilovic notched a season-high 28 kills, 68 attacks and 32 points. Additionally, she had 13 digs, marking her third double-double of the season and 13th of her career. Against Arizona, she tallied four aces, three coming consecutively and shifting the momentum to guide Colorado to a win after dropping the previous two sets against the Wildcats.
Also Nominated:
Brandon Knight (Men's golf)
Brenna Higgins (Women's golf)
Yukiko Ikedo (Tennis)
Players Mentioned
Sunday, September 27
Sunday, September 27
Sunday, September 27
Sunday, September 27
