Season snapshot
- Record:
- 15-5
- Last result:
- W 3-2 vs Cincinnati · Thu, Oct 29
- Next match:
- vs Texas Tech · Sun, Nov 1 · 1:00 PM MT (TV: ESPN+)
- Remaining ranked opponents:
- 3
- Schedule sites:
- 17 home · 12 away
Independent fan guide · Big 12
Colorado Volleyball Schedule 2026
Follow the Buffaloes on their journey to championship glory. Get the latest schedules, roster updates, and game information.
Last updated · Sources & updates
15-5Recorded season record
29Listed matches
17Home matches
Save schedule & follow Colorado
Latest result: W 3-2 vs Cincinnati · Oct 29
All results →Colorado match dates, TV channels and results. All times are as listed. View schedule.
Match dates & results
2026 schedule & results
Scores checked Oct 31, 2026 · Times as listed
8 upcoming matches · Times shown as listed
DateOpponentLocationFirst serve / resultTV / stream
vs Texas Tech
HomeCU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.
First serve1:00 PM MT
TV / stream: ESPN+
vs BYU
HomeCU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.
First serve7:00 PM MT
TV / stream: ESPN+
at West Virginia
AwayMorgantown, W.Va.
First serve11:00 AM MT
TV / stream: ESPN+
vs Kansas
HomeCU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.
First serve7:00 PM MT
TV / stream: ESPN+
vs Baylor
HomeCU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.
First serve1:00 PM MT
TV / stream: ESPN+
at Houston
AwayHouston, Texas
First serve5:30 PM MT
TV / stream: ESPN+
at UCF
AwayOrlando, Fla.
First serve11:00 AM MT
TV / stream: ESPN+
vs Iowa State
HomeCU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.
First serve1:00 PM MT
TV / stream: ESPN+
This week in Big 12
- Iowa State vs KansasSun, Nov 1 · 12:00 PM CT
- Arizona State vs HoustonSun, Nov 1 · 1:00 pm MST
- TCU vs Kansas StateSun, Nov 1 · 2:00 PM CT
- Colorado vs Texas TechSun, Nov 1 · 1:00 PM MT
- Iowa State at UCFThu, Nov 5 · 5:00 PM CT
Next opponents
- Texas TechNov 1 · 1:00 PM MT (TV: ESPN+)
- BYUNov 5 · 7:00 PM MT (TV: ESPN+)
- West VirginiaNov 8 · 11:00 AM MT (TV: ESPN+)
Colorado Volleyball 2026: Season Outlook & Program Overview
Original analysis of the Colorado Buffaloes program, coaching staff, and 2026 outlook.
2026 Season Outlook
Jesse Mahoney's phrase at Big 12 media day was senior-laden, and the roster backs it up. The core of last year's 23-win team is back, supplemented by six newcomers. Ana Burilovic is the headline: the senior pin attacker from Split, Croatia has 1,061 career kills, was named to the AVCA National Player of the Year preseason watch list, and won both an AVCA Player of the Week and two Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week awards last season - including a 41-kill weekend sweeping BYU and Utah on the road and a career-high 32 kills against UCF. She is joined on the Big 12 preseason team by senior middle blocker Cayla Payne, with fellow senior pins Lily Dwinell and Sydney Jordan handling much of the leadership.
Four seniors in the primary rotation is unusual in the portal era and is the real reason for the fifth-place projection. The schedule is fair: Colorado opens with two home tournaments and does not leave Boulder until September 11, six matches to sort out rotations before anything counts. October is the grind, with five of eight on the road.
Program History & Tradition
Colorado volleyball began in 1986 and is 664-546 all-time. The Buffaloes have made 22 NCAA Tournament appearances and reached the second round twelve times, most recently in 2025 against Indiana. Thirteen 20-win seasons are on the books, and the 23-win 2025 campaign ties for the third-most in program history and is the best since 2017. The move from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 in 2024 reset the competitive picture, and the fifth-place preseason projection in 2026 is the highest the program has been slotted since 2018.
Home matches are at the CU Events Center in Boulder, at 5,430 feet.
Head Coach Spotlight
Jesse Mahoney is in his eleventh season and is 164-135 at Colorado through 2025, with the program's move into the Big 12 and its best win total since 2017 both on his watch. The staff has worked together for eleven seasons - rare continuity in a sport where assistants turn over annually, and something Mahoney points to directly when explaining why this group started fall camp ahead of schedule. Sanders Lobato was promoted to associate head coach and offensive coordinator in the 2026 offseason.
What to Watch in 2026
The altitude in Boulder is not a gimmick: serves carry differently, and visiting teams arriving the day before a match routinely fade in fourth and fifth sets. It is the most underrated home-court factor in the Big 12. Colorado plays an 18-match league schedule with home-and-home series against Utah, Baylor, BYU and Iowa State. BYU on November 5, Colorado State on September 17 and Baylor on November 15 are the home dates that sell first.
October is the grind - five of eight on the road, including trips to TCU, Baylor, Arizona State, Iowa State, BYU and Utah in a five-week stretch. Colorado is marking its 40th season with celebrations and themed giveaways through the fall. The Big 12 holds no volleyball tournament, so the regular-season standings decide the title.
Colorado Volleyball 2026 Schedule Overview
Schedule and scores checked October 31, 2026 · Official source: cubuffs.com
Colorado opens the 2026 season on August 28 against Cal State Northridge and closes November 27 against Iowa State: 28 matches, ten non-conference and 18 in the Big 12, with 16 at the CU Events Center. This is Jesse Mahoney's eleventh season and the Buffaloes' third in the Big 12, coming off a 23-9 campaign that went 12-6 in the league and reached the NCAA second round. Colorado was picked fifth in the Big 12 coaches poll, the highest the program has been slotted since 2018. The schedule is fair: two home tournaments to open, and the Buffaloes do not leave Boulder until September 11 - six matches to sort out rotations before anything counts.
Big 12 play opens September 25 against Utah. Full dates, times, venues and streaming details are below.
Colorado Volleyball 2026 Photo Gallery
Top Games to Watch
BYU at Colorado
Thursday, November 5The marquee home date of the season and the one that pushes attendance past its usual range.
Colorado State at Colorado
Thursday, September 17The in-state rivalry at the CU Events Center, and one of three home dates that sell first.
Baylor at Colorado
Sunday, November 15The back half of a Big 12 home-and-home, late enough in the season to matter for league positioning.
Colorado at Arizona State
Big 12The Big 12's preseason No. 1, in the middle of an October stretch that puts five of eight matches on the road.
Iowa State at Colorado
Friday, November 27The regular-season finale, closing a home-and-home series against a fellow Big 12 tournament team.
Key Players to Know
Ana Burilovic
Outside Hitter
Senior from Split, Croatia with 1,061 career kills, named to the AVCA National Player of the Year preseason watch list. She won an AVCA Player of the Week and two Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week awards last season, including a 41-kill weekend sweeping BYU and Utah on the road and a career-high 32 kills against UCF.
Cayla Payne
Middle Blocker
Senior and Colorado's second Big 12 preseason team selection, anchoring the block on a senior-laden roster.
Lily Dwinell
Outside Hitter
Senior pin in her fourth year, one of four seniors in the primary rotation and a large part of why the staff projects continuity.
Sydney Jordan
Outside Hitter
Senior from Missouri City, Texas, sharing leadership duties on a roster that also carries players from Croatia, Finland, Lithuania, Spain, Poland and Canada.
Season Expectations
Colorado was picked fifth in the Big 12 coaches poll, its highest projection since 2018, on the strength of four seniors in the primary rotation - unusual in the portal era. The realistic ceiling is a top-four Big 12 finish and hosting an NCAA first weekend; the floor is an at-large bid and a first-round exit. Given the program is 22 tournament appearances deep with twelve second-round finishes and no Sweet 16 since the Pac-12 era, breaking through the second weekend would be the genuinely new thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who coaches Colorado volleyball?
- Jesse Mahoney, in his eleventh season. He is 164-135 at Colorado through 2025, with the program's move into the Big 12 and its best win total since 2017 both on his watch. Sanders Lobato was promoted to associate head coach and offensive coordinator in the 2026 offseason.
- Does the Big 12 hold a volleyball tournament?
- No. The regular-season standings decide the conference title, and NCAA at-large bids follow from there - worth knowing if you are planning a postseason trip.
- Where can I buy Colorado volleyball tickets?
- Tickets are sold through Colorado Athletics. Student tickets are free with a valid CU ID, and parking is free in the surrounding lots on match nights. BYU, Colorado State and Baylor are the home dates to buy early.
Related Pages
Fan Guide · FAQ
Colorado Volleyball FAQ 2026
Everything you need to know about Colorado Buffaloes volleyball
Where do the Buffaloes play home games?
The Colorado Buffaloes play their home volleyball matches at the CU Events Center on the University of Colorado campus in Boulder, Colorado.
How can I purchase tickets?
Tickets can be purchased through the CU Athletics website, at the CU Events Center box office, or through authorized ticket resellers.
What time do doors open for matches?
Doors typically open 60 minutes before the scheduled match time. We recommend arriving early for the best seating options.
What conference is Colorado in?
Colorado competes in the Big 12 Conference, facing teams like Kansas, Baylor, BYU, TCU, Iowa State, and Arizona State in conference play.
Where can I find the full Colorado Volleyball Schedule 2026?
The complete 2026 Colorado volleyball schedule with every Buffaloes match, opponent, date, time and location is listed on this page above. It is updated whenever the athletic department confirms new times, TV assignments or venue changes.
When does the Colorado Buffaloes volleyball season start in 2026?
Colorado opens the 2026 volleyball season in late August with non-conference play, then rolls into Big 12 matches from mid-September through November. The full 2026 slate leads into the NCAA Tournament in December.
Where do the Buffaloes play their home volleyball matches?
Colorado plays home volleyball matches at CU Events Center in Boulder. The arena hosts every home date on the 2026 schedule, and doors typically open about an hour before first serve.
How can I watch Colorado volleyball games in 2026?
Most 2026 Buffaloes matches air on Big 12 network partners (ESPN, ESPN+, Big Ten Network, ACC Network, SEC Network or FS1 depending on the game). Each row on the schedule above shows the confirmed TV or streaming outlet as soon as it is announced.
Who are Colorado's biggest 2026 volleyball opponents?
The 2026 schedule features Big 12 rivalry matches plus marquee non-conference tests. See the schedule table on this page for every Buffaloes opponent, dates and locations for the full 2026 season.
The Squad · Roster
Colorado Volleyball Roster 2026
Meet the 18 athletes on the Colorado Buffaloes volleyball team
- —
Ana Burilovic
Outside Hitter · Senior · — · Split, CroatiaOutside HitterSenior— - —
Cayla Payne
Middle Blocker · Senior · — · —Middle BlockerSenior— - —
Lily Dwinell
Outside Hitter · Senior · — · —Outside HitterSenior— - —
Sydney Jordan
Outside Hitter · Senior · — · Missouri City, TXOutside HitterSenior— - —
Avery Bolles
— · Senior · — · Andover, MN—Senior— - —
Jenna Ylivainio
— · Senior · — · Hameenlinna, Finland—Senior— - 4
Audrey Asleson
Setter · Sophomore · 6'0" · La Grange, ILSetterSophomore6'0" - —
Ines Losada
— · Sophomore · — · A Coruna, Spain—Sophomore— - —
Tinons Munar Galmes
— · — · — · ———— - —
Nikki Ott
— · — · — · ———— - —
Peyton Neal
— · — · — · ———— - —
Katie Salonga
— · — · — · ———— - —
Gwen Schiff
— · — · — · ———— - —
Maria Splawska
— · — · — · ———— - —
Elle Richardson
— · Freshman · — · Orem, UT—Freshman— - —
Dumebi Okoye
— · Freshman · — · Surrey, BC—Freshman— - —
Barbora Rakauskaite
— · Freshman · — · Vilnius, Lithuania—Freshman— - —
Kensley Hennessy
— · Freshman · — · San Diego, CA—Freshman—
Leadership · Staff
Colorado Volleyball Coaches 2026
The leadership behind Colorado Buffaloes volleyball success
Jesse Mahoney
Head Coach · 11 years with program
Jesse Mahoney is in his eleventh season and is 164-135 at Colorado through 2025, with the program's move into the Big 12 and its best win total since 2017 both on his watch. His staff has worked together for eleven seasons, rare continuity in a sport where assistants turn over annually.
Sanders Lobato
Associate Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator
Promoted to associate head coach and offensive coordinator in the 2026 offseason.
Where to Watch
Where to Watch Colorado Volleyball
CU Events Center
Address: 950 Regent Dr, Boulder, CO 80309
Capacity: 11,064 fans
The CU Events Center, 950 Regent Dr, Boulder, CO 80309, opened in 1979 and was renovated in 2016. Volleyball uses a reduced configuration of the 11,064-seat bowl, with crowds typically running 2,500 to 5,000 and marquee dates pushing higher. The altitude is not a gimmick - Boulder sits at 5,430 feet, serves carry differently, and visiting teams arriving the day before a match routinely fade in fourth and fifth sets. Parking is free in the surrounding lots on match nights, and Colorado is marking its 40th season with celebrations and themed giveaways through the fall.
TV & Streaming
Networks: ESPN, FS1, Big 12 Now
Streaming: ESPN+, Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Most Big 12 matches stream on ESPN+ via Big 12 NOW, with a handful picked up for linear television on ESPN2, ESPNU or FS1, typically confirmed a week or two out. Non-conference road matches follow the host school - the USC and Oregon State matches in Los Angeles will be on the host's platform, and the Colorado State road match streams through the Pac-12's arrangement. ESPN+ runs about $11.99 a month, and month-to-month covers the full late-August-to-November window. Tickets are sold through Colorado Athletics and students get in free with a valid CU ID.
Heritage · Legacy
Colorado Volleyball Program History
The Colorado Buffaloes women's volleyball program has made significant strides under head coach Jesse Mahoney. With consistent improvement and NCAA Tournament appearances, Colorado has established itself as a competitive program in the Big 12.
The Buffaloes have developed a strong recruiting pipeline, particularly from Colorado and the surrounding region, and have become a rising force in the conference.
Colorado volleyball has created a passionate fanbase at the CU Events Center, with the arena providing an exciting home court atmosphere in Boulder.
Season Storylines
2026 Colorado Volleyball Season
Big 12 Schedule
Colorado faces tough Big 12 competition, battling rivals like Kansas, Baylor, BYU, TCU, Iowa State, and Arizona State throughout the conference season.
Home Games at CU Events Center
Experience the exciting atmosphere at the CU Events Center where Colorado volleyball creates a passionate home court advantage.
NCAA Tournament Path
Follow Colorado's journey through the NCAA Tournament as the Buffaloes compete against the nation's best programs.
Go Buffaloes
Go Buffs!
Join thousands of Buff fans supporting Colorado volleyball