Colorado University Athletics
Newcomer Spotlight Series: Maeve McErlane
January 31, 2026 | Women's Basketball
BOULDER - The Colorado Women's Basketball team added 10 new players to the roster ahead of the 2025-26 season. In order to get to know them all a little better, we're introducing the Newcomer Spotlight Series to highlight the five freshmen and five transfers on our squad.
Next up is junior guard Maeve McErlane.
What was it like growing up in Pennsylvania?
Growing up in Pennsylvania was one thing, but also growing up in Philadelphia, I think, was another. Philadelphia is such a tight knit community. Everyone knows everyone, especially when it comes to the sports world. I feel like I truly have just a massive family in Philadelphia – friends and real family – but I wouldn't want to grow up anywhere else.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
Growing up, I also played softball for a big chunk of my life. I played tennis, and I also did golf in high school, but basketball was the sport that inevitably won me over.
What drew you to basketball?
My mom played division one basketball, and my whole family is just super sports and basketball oriented. I just felt like I had this love and passion for it, and something that I could just continue to get better and better at. Being on the teams that I was on, those girls are still my friends to this day – girls I've played with since third grade. So being able to keep those relationships has also been something truly special.
You played in the game against Iowa when the women's basketball attendance record was broken. Can you talk about what it meant to be a part of that?
That moment was surreal, just to have been able to been a part of that, play in that game and also we did the traditional Hawkeye Wave to the Children's Hospital, which that still gives me chills to this day. We did it after the first quarter, and we dedicated a game to Katie. She actually recently just passed away, which was super tragic. But being able to just play for something even more than just beating the world record was very special.
Why did you choose to come to Colorado?
I wanted to be able to play for a team at a high level, I would say the the coaching staff is the main reason that I came to CU. Just that family, knit, close community. They truly care for you on and off the court and allow you to excel as a basketball player, but also a person. I think that this is a community where I can really grow, and that's the reason why I chose CU.
What do you like about living in Colorado?
Growing up literally right outside of Philadelphia, and also being in school in Chicago for three years, I'm definitely a city girl. That's all I've kind of ever known. So this has been a much different experience that I'm super appreciative of because it's taken me out of my comfort zone – connecting more with nature, being surrounded by mountains. I think the unfamiliarity with Colorado has honestly been the best experience because I've never been here until I got here, and just being one with nature, and not living in a city for the first time in my life.
What's been one of your favorite moments with the team so far?
Honestly, everyone is super close. Obviously, I love playing with each and every one of these girls, but it's probably the moments that are off the court. We have this anthem that we sing on the bus sometimes and just walking around the [CU Events Center] or whatnot. So just the memories that we have created off the court have been special as well.
One thing you like to do off the court is cook. What do you like to cook?
I'm really good at making chicken cutlets, but I also love to cook literally anything and everything. If I'm in the mood for cheeseburger, I'll cook that. If I'm more in the mood for Asian food, I can cook really good Vietnamese food. So whatever I'm in the mood for, I can cook.
Do you have any favorite movies or TV shows?
Favorite TV shows, I would say would be "The Sopranos" and "90210", the newer version. And favorite movies, I love all the Tom Cruise "Mission Impossibles".
What do you want to do after you graduate?
I probably want to continue to do something in the sports world, whether that's get into coaching, continue to play overseas [or] work in the sports media field. Still to be determined, but I know that I don't want to let go of sports just yet.
For more information on the Colorado women's basketball team, a complete schedule and results, please visit CUBuffs.com. Fans of the Buffs can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @CUBuffsWBB.
Next up is junior guard Maeve McErlane.
What was it like growing up in Pennsylvania?
Growing up in Pennsylvania was one thing, but also growing up in Philadelphia, I think, was another. Philadelphia is such a tight knit community. Everyone knows everyone, especially when it comes to the sports world. I feel like I truly have just a massive family in Philadelphia – friends and real family – but I wouldn't want to grow up anywhere else.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
Growing up, I also played softball for a big chunk of my life. I played tennis, and I also did golf in high school, but basketball was the sport that inevitably won me over.
What drew you to basketball?
My mom played division one basketball, and my whole family is just super sports and basketball oriented. I just felt like I had this love and passion for it, and something that I could just continue to get better and better at. Being on the teams that I was on, those girls are still my friends to this day – girls I've played with since third grade. So being able to keep those relationships has also been something truly special.
You played in the game against Iowa when the women's basketball attendance record was broken. Can you talk about what it meant to be a part of that?
That moment was surreal, just to have been able to been a part of that, play in that game and also we did the traditional Hawkeye Wave to the Children's Hospital, which that still gives me chills to this day. We did it after the first quarter, and we dedicated a game to Katie. She actually recently just passed away, which was super tragic. But being able to just play for something even more than just beating the world record was very special.
Why did you choose to come to Colorado?
I wanted to be able to play for a team at a high level, I would say the the coaching staff is the main reason that I came to CU. Just that family, knit, close community. They truly care for you on and off the court and allow you to excel as a basketball player, but also a person. I think that this is a community where I can really grow, and that's the reason why I chose CU.
What do you like about living in Colorado?
Growing up literally right outside of Philadelphia, and also being in school in Chicago for three years, I'm definitely a city girl. That's all I've kind of ever known. So this has been a much different experience that I'm super appreciative of because it's taken me out of my comfort zone – connecting more with nature, being surrounded by mountains. I think the unfamiliarity with Colorado has honestly been the best experience because I've never been here until I got here, and just being one with nature, and not living in a city for the first time in my life.
What's been one of your favorite moments with the team so far?
Honestly, everyone is super close. Obviously, I love playing with each and every one of these girls, but it's probably the moments that are off the court. We have this anthem that we sing on the bus sometimes and just walking around the [CU Events Center] or whatnot. So just the memories that we have created off the court have been special as well.
One thing you like to do off the court is cook. What do you like to cook?
I'm really good at making chicken cutlets, but I also love to cook literally anything and everything. If I'm in the mood for cheeseburger, I'll cook that. If I'm more in the mood for Asian food, I can cook really good Vietnamese food. So whatever I'm in the mood for, I can cook.
Do you have any favorite movies or TV shows?
Favorite TV shows, I would say would be "The Sopranos" and "90210", the newer version. And favorite movies, I love all the Tom Cruise "Mission Impossibles".
What do you want to do after you graduate?
I probably want to continue to do something in the sports world, whether that's get into coaching, continue to play overseas [or] work in the sports media field. Still to be determined, but I know that I don't want to let go of sports just yet.
For more information on the Colorado women's basketball team, a complete schedule and results, please visit CUBuffs.com. Fans of the Buffs can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @CUBuffsWBB.
Players Mentioned
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