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    Vol. LVII · 2026 Season · Big 12

    The Colorado Volleyball Gazette

    Complete 2026 Buffaloes schedule, roster & coaching staff

    3-0

    Record

    34

    Games

    18

    Roster

    #23

    Rank

    Follow the Buffaloes on their journey to championship glory. Get the latest schedules, roster updates, and game information.

    Looking for dates, times and locations? Jump straight to the full Colorado 2026 slate.

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    Colorado

    VS

    USC

    Fri, Sep 11·5:30 PM MT
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    17Hours
    09Min
    04Sec

    Colorado Volleyball Schedule 2026

    SatAug 22

    vs

    Black and Gold Scrimmage

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    FriAug 28

    vs

    Central Arkansas

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    FriAug 28

    vs

    CSUN

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    SatAug 29

    vs

    Denver

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    SatAug 29

    vs

    Central Arkansas

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    SunAug 30

    vs

    Denver

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    SunAug 30

    vs

    Northern Colorado vs. New Mexico

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    FriSep 4

    vs

    Wichita State

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    FriSep 4

    vs

    Northern Colorado vs. Wichita State

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    SatSep 5

    vs

    New Mexico

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    SatSep 5

    vs

    Northern Colorado

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    SunSep 6

    at

    Oregon State

    Los Angeles, Calif.

    A
    FriSep 11

    at

    USC

    Los Angeles, Calif.

    A
    SatSep 12

    vs

    Colorado State

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    ThuSep 17

    at

    Colorado State

    Fort Collins, Colo.

    A
    FriSep 18

    vs

    Utah

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    FriSep 25

    vs

    Arizona

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    SunSep 27

    at

    TCU

    Fort Worth, Texas

    A
    FriOct 2

    at

    Baylor

    Waco, Texas

    A
    SunOct 4

    at

    Arizona State

    Tempe, Ariz.

    A
    FriOct 9

    vs

    Kansas State

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    SunOct 11

    at

    Iowa State

    Ames, Iowa

    A
    ThuOct 15

    at

    BYU

    Provo, Utah

    A
    ThuOct 22

    at

    Utah

    Salt Lake City, Utah

    A
    SunOct 25

    vs

    Cincinnati

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    ThuOct 29

    vs

    Texas Tech

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    SunNov 1

    vs

    BYU

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    ThuNov 5

    at

    West Virginia

    Morgantown, W.Va.

    A
    SunNov 8

    vs

    Kansas

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    ThuNov 12

    vs

    Baylor

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    SunNov 15

    at

    Houston

    Houston, Texas

    A
    FriNov 20

    at

    UCF

    Orlando, Fla.

    A
    SunNov 22

    vs

    Iowa State

    CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.

    H
    FriNov 27

    at

    TBA

    TBA

    A

    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

    Last updated: August 24, 2026

    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 opens August 28 against Cal State Northridge, the first of six straight matches in Boulder before the Buffaloes travel on September 11.

    Colorado Volleyball 2026 Photo Gallery

    Colorado volleyball player in green swinging over a two-player block during a match in Fort Collins
    Big swing over the block
    Colorado volleyball teammates shaking hands before serve during a 2026 season home match
    Lining up the serve receive
    Colorado volleyball players celebrating together in a green and white huddle after winning a point
    Team huddle between points
    Colorado volleyball defender on the floor after a dig attempt during a 2026 schedule match
    On court during the 2026 season

    TV & Streaming Information

    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.

    Top Games to Watch

    • BYU at Colorado

      Thursday, November 5

      The marquee home date of the season and the one that pushes attendance past its usual range.

    • Colorado State at Colorado

      Thursday, September 17

      The in-state rivalry at the CU Events Center, and one of three home dates that sell first.

    • Baylor at Colorado

      Sunday, November 15

      The back half of a Big 12 home-and-home, late enough in the season to matter for league positioning.

    • Colorado at Arizona State

      Big 12

      The 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 27

      The 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.

    Venue Information

    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.

    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, Croatia

    • —

      Cayla Payne

      Middle Blocker · Senior · — · —

    • —

      Lily Dwinell

      Outside Hitter · Senior · — · —

    • —

      Sydney Jordan

      Outside Hitter · Senior · — · Missouri City, TX

    • —

      Avery Bolles

      — · Senior · — · Andover, MN

    • —

      Jenna Ylivainio

      — · Senior · — · Hameenlinna, Finland

    • 4

      Audrey Asleson

      Setter · Sophomore · 6'0" · La Grange, IL

    • —

      Ines Losada

      — · Sophomore · — · A Coruna, Spain

    • —

      Tinons Munar Galmes

      — · — · — · —

    • —

      Nikki Ott

      — · — · — · —

    • —

      Peyton Neal

      — · — · — · —

    • —

      Katie Salonga

      — · — · — · —

    • —

      Gwen Schiff

      — · — · — · —

    • —

      Maria Splawska

      — · — · — · —

    • —

      Elle Richardson

      — · Freshman · — · Orem, UT

    • —

      Dumebi Okoye

      — · Freshman · — · Surrey, BC

    • —

      Barbora Rakauskaite

      — · Freshman · — · Vilnius, Lithuania

    • —

      Kensley Hennessy

      — · Freshman · — · San Diego, CA

    Leadership · Staff

    Colorado Volleyball Coaches 2026

    The leadership behind Colorado Buffaloes volleyball success

    JM

    Jesse Mahoney

    Head Coach

    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.

    11 years with the program
    SL

    Sanders Lobato

    Associate Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator

    Promoted to associate head coach and offensive coordinator in the 2026 offseason.

    0 years with the program
    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 has been the home of Colorado volleyball, providing an exciting atmosphere in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

    TV & Streaming

    Networks: ESPN, FS1, Big 12 Now

    Streaming: ESPN+, Big 12 Now on ESPN+

    Can't make it to Boulder? Catch every Colorado volleyball match on television or streaming platforms.

    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

    1

    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.

    2

    Home Games at CU Events Center

    Experience the exciting atmosphere at the CU Events Center where Colorado volleyball creates a passionate home court advantage.

    3

    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