Colorado University Athletics
Burilović, Spławska in Final Round of 2024 U20 European Championship
August 07, 2024 | Volleyball
LUXEMBOURG – Colorado volleyball sophomore outside hitter Ana Burilović (Split, Croatia/Vladimir Nazor) and incoming freshman middle blocker Maria Spławska (Stezyca, Poland/GKS Wiezyca 2011 Stezyca) are competing in the final round of the 2024 Women's U20 Volleyball European Championship from Aug. 5 to Aug. 17.
Hosted by Ireland and Bulgaria, this U20 European Championship marks the 29th edition of the Women's Junior European Volleyball Championship – a biennial international tournament organized by the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV).
"It's exciting to have both Maria and Ana competing for their National Team programs in the European Championships this month," head coach Jesse Mahoney said. "The level of play is very high and should prime them both for our season when they return. They are in opposing pools and both have a great chance to make the final – which would be fun to watch!"
The final round of the tournament begins with two pools, one in each host country. The top two teams in each pool will advance to the semifinals on Aug. 16, and the winners of those two matches will go head-to-head in the final match on Aug. 17 at 9:30 a.m. MST/6:30 p.m. DST in Sofia, Bulgaria. Prior to the final round, all teams played in one of two rounds of qualifiers, the first in January 2024 and the second in April 2024.
Burilović and Team Croatia are undefeated in final round pool play so far, having defeated Spain, 3-1 (25-23, 26-24, 21-25, 25-14), on Aug. 5 and Slovenia, 3-2 (25-15, 21-25, 19-25, 25-13, 15-12), on Aug. 6. Burilović had 10 kills against Spain and 15 against Slovenia, as well as three blocks between the two matches. In the first round of qualifiers, Croatia defeated Israel, 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-15), fell to Slovakia, 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 19-25, 25-21) and overcame Hungary, 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-22). Burilović had 31 kills, nine aces and five blocks across the three matches. Team Croatia will play The Netherlands today at 11 a.m. MST/8 p.m. DST, Sweden on Aug. 9 at 11 a.m. MST/8 p.m. DST, Turkey on Aug. 8 at 11 a.m. MST/8 p.m. DST, Bulgaria on Aug. 12 at 8:30 a.m. MST/5:30 p.m. DST, and finally Belgium on Aug. 13 at 3:30 a.m. MST/12:30 p.m. DST. All Team Croatia pool matches will take place at Hristo Botev in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Spławska and Team Poland also stand without a loss in the final round of pool play after beating Finland, 3-1 (25-11, 25-19, 17-25, 25-20), on Aug. 5 and sweeping Serbia, 3-0 (25-22, 26-24, 25-14), on Aug. 6. Spławska recorded a kill against Serbia. In the first round of qualifiers, Poland went undefeated, sweeping Lithuania, 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-16), defeating Estonia, 3-1 (23-25, 25-8, 25-15, 25-14), beating Latvia, 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-22), overcoming Ukraine, 3-0 (28-26, 25-22, 25-20), and besting Azerbaijan, 3-0 (25-9, 25-11, 25-9). Spławska had 14 kills, 11 blocks and three aces over the five matches. Team Poland will play Ukraine today at 10:30 a.m. MST/5:30 p.m. IST, Czechia on Aug. 9 at 5:30 a.m. MST/12:30 p.m. IST, Portugal on Aug. 10 at 10:30 a.m. MST/5:30 p.m. IST, Italy on Aug. 12 at 1 p.m. MST/8 p.m. IST, and lastly Ireland on Aug. 13 at 1 p.m. MST/8 p.m. IST. All Team Poland pool matches will take place in Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena in Dublin, Ireland.
Following the conclusion of the CEV U20 Volleyball European Championships, Burilović and Spławska will return to Boulder to start training for the 2024 Colorado Volleyball season. The Buffs begin their season on the road at North Texas on Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. and open at home with Buffs Classic against Georgia on Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
Under ninth-year head coach Jesse Mahoney, Colorado earned a winning record in the 2023 season (16-15) and went 8-12 against Pac-12 opponents. A significant win for the Buffs took place against 17th-ranked Arizona State last year. The Buffs took down the Sun Devils in three sets, completing the sweep and earning CU's only win against a ranked opponent in the 2023 season. Colorado also swept Arizona (Oct. 20) and Washington (Nov. 19) and finished seventh in the Pac-12.
For more information on the Colorado women's volleyball team, please visit cubuffs.com/vb. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffsvb on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
