CU Buffs volleyball upsets No. 14 BYU on the road

Published: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 4:36 am

CU Buffs Volleyball Stuns No. 14 BYU on the Road

The Colorado Buffaloes volleyball team secured a significant victory Thursday night, defeating No. 14 BYU in four sets to open Big 12 Conference play. The Buffs, after a recent setback, rebounded with a strong performance, winning with scores of 25-14, 25-23, 23-25, and 25-21. This win marks a crucial moment for the program, ending a 10-game losing streak against ranked opponents.

The match saw the Buffs dominate early, establishing a 5-1 lead in the first set and maintaining control throughout. Despite BYU's efforts to rally in the third set, the Buffs remained composed, ultimately securing the win with a strong performance in the fourth set.

CU's offense was particularly effective, boasting a .328 hitting percentage compared to BYU's .185. Ana Burilovic led the attack with 22 kills, supported by Cayla Payne's nine kills and five blocks. Setter Rian Finley contributed 47 assists, facilitating a balanced offensive effort with four players recording at least nine kills.

Head coach Jesse Mahoney praised the team's resilience and execution, highlighting the impact of a focused week of practice. He specifically noted the strong performances of Burilovic, Dwinell, and Payne.

The victory improves CU's record to 10-2 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12. The team faces another challenging road test Saturday against No. 23 Utah.

BNN's Perspective: This win is a testament to the Buffs' ability to bounce back from adversity. While it's early in the season, this victory against a ranked opponent demonstrates the team's potential and sets a positive tone for their Big 12 campaign.

Keywords: CU Buffs, volleyball, BYU, Cougars, Big 12, Ana Burilovic, Jesse Mahoney, road win, ranked teams, Cayla Payne, Rian Finley, Lily Dwinell, Sydney Jordan, Colorado, Utah, sports, college volleyball

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