Colorado Volleyball Hosts Triad of Dogs in Buffs Classic

Friday, September 6

Boulder, Colo.

7 PM

Colorado

Georgia

Colorado Volleyball Hosts Triad of Dogs in Buffs Classic

September 03, 2024 | Volleyball

Match Notes

The Buffaloes will play Georgia for their home opener, along with Fresno State and Washington

By: Malala Pyle, Assistant Director of Athletic Communication

BOULDER – The Colorado volleyball team (2-1) continues nonconference play in Buffs Classic for the home opener at CU Events Center this weekend. The Buffs will host Georgia (2-1) on Sept. 6, Fresno State (2-1) on Sept. 7 and former Pac-12 foe Washington (2-0) on Sept. 8.

After defeating North Texas and Rutgers in Denton, Texas, last weekend, the Buffaloes look to continue their momentum into Buffs Classic after their sweep of the Scarlet Knights.

BUFFS CLASSIC
CU Events Center • BOULDER, Colo.
TV: ESPN+

MATCH #1 • Friday, September 6 • 7 p.m. MT
Colorado (2-1) vs. Georgia (2-1)
SERIES RECORD: Tied, 3-3 (.500)
LAST MEETING: L 3-1 (September 7, 2018 • CU Events Center)
STREAK: Lost 1 • LAST 10 MEETINGS: 3-3
OPPONENT WEBSITE: GeorgiaDogs.com

MATCH #2 • Saturday, September 7 • 6 p.m. MT
Colorado (2-1) vs. Fresno State (2-1)
SERIES RECORD: Georgia Leads, 1-0 (CU, .000)
LAST MEETING: L 3-0 (September 1, 2012 • CU Events Center)
STREAK: Lost 1 • LAST 10 MEETINGS: 0-1
OPPONENT WEBSITE: GoBulldogs.com

MATCH #3 • Sunday, September 8 • 1:30 p.m. MT
Colorado (2-1) vs. Washington (2-0)
SERIES RECORD: Washington Leads, 20-7 (CU, .259)
LAST MEETING: W 3-0 (November 19, 2023 • CU Events Center)
STREAK: Won 1 • LAST 10 MEETINGS: 3-7
OPPONENT WEBSITE: GoHuskies.com

FIRST SERVE (TL;DR)

CU is led by ninth-year head coach Jesse Mahoney, who has led the Buffs to a 130-110 (.500) record as CU's fifth head volleyball coach. Coach Mahoney has been extended through 2027 and has led the Buffs to three NCAA appearances.
Upon their return to the Big 12, the Buffs were picked to finish 10th in the Big 12 Preseason Poll.
Sr. S Taylor Simpson achieved not one but two major milestones in Colorado's season opening weekend. In the Buffaloes match against North Texas (Aug. 30), Simpson reached 2,000 career assists and 100 career blocks. She also recorded 86 assists (7.82 aps) and four blocks over the three games.
So. OH Ana Burilovic was the Buffs scoring leader in all three matches of the North Texas Invitational, finishing the weekend with 42.5 points and 41 kills (3.73 kps, hitting .319). She recorded a double-double against North Texas (Aug. 30) with 20 kills and 12 digs. Burilovic was named to the North Texas Invitational All-Tournament Team for her performance.
So. MB Cayla Payne led Colorado in blocks over the weekend, totaling 14.0 (1.27 bps) including four solo blocks and a career-high nine blocks against Rutgers (Sept. 1). She also had 22 kills and a career-high of 12 against North Texas. Payne was also named to the North Texas Invitational All-Tournament Team.
So. OH Sydney Jordan was second in scoring for the Buffs in the North Texas Invite, reaching 23 total kills (2.09 kps). Jordan also recorded two blocks and 24 digs (2.18 dps), the second highest on the team. She saw a double-double on the season opener with 16 kills and 12 digs against North Texas (Aug. 30).
Jr. DS/L Sarah Morton matched her career-high 26 digs last weekend against North Texas (Aug. 30). She last achieved this feat against Georgia on Oct. 9, 2022. Morton totaled 35 digs (3.18 dps) on the weekend and nine aces.

ROAM WITH THE BUFFS: All three Buffalo matches will be broadcast on ESPN+ as well as the neutral matches. Fans also can follow Colorado matches through live stats with links available at CUBuffs.com.

LAST TIME OUT: Colorado went 2-1 in its opening weekend in the North Texas Invitational in Denton, Texas. The Buffaloes fought through a five-set thriller against North Texas (Aug. 30), swept Rutgers (Sept. 1) and fell to Miami (3-0, Aug. 31).

MILESTONE WATCH: Multiple Buffaloes reached smaller career milestones over the North Texas Invitational. So. OH Ana Burilovic reached 100 kills, So. OH Lily Dwinell advanced to 200 kills, So. OH Sydney Jordan went up to 50 kills, Jr. DS/L Sarah Morton hit 50 aces and Sr. S Taylor Simpson reached 400 digs. So. MB Cayla Payne is eyeing 100 blocks and 150 kills on her horizon, and Morton is on track to hit 1,000 career-digs this season.

FANTASTIC FOUR: The Buffs welcomed four new freshmen to the squad this season in DS/L Katie Salonga (Pleasanton, Calif./Foothill HS), OH Gwen Schiff (Urbana, Ill./Urbana HS), MB Maria Splawska (Stezyca, Poland/GKS Wiezyca 2011 Stezyca) and MB Tatum Johnson (Laguna Beach, Calif./JSerra Catholic HS).

DOUBLE OR NOTHING: Sophomore outside hitters Sydney Jordan and Ana Burilovic both recorded double-doubles during Colorado volleyball's opening weekend -- Jordan with 16 kills and 12 digs and Burilovic with 20 kills and 12 digs (North Texas, Aug. 30). This was Jordans first career double-double and Burilovic's second. They join Sr. S Taylor Simpson, who has four career double-doubles.

For more information on the Colorado volleyball team, please visit cubuffs.com/vb. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffsvb on Instagram, X, and Facebook.