Maeve McErlane to Remain with Colorado Next Season

BOULDER, Colo – The Colorado women's basketball team will be bringing back one of its key team players, as junior guard Maeve McErlane (Philadelphia, Pa./Academy of Notre Dame de Namur) will return to the Buffaloes roster for the 2026-27 season, head coach JR Payne announced today.

McErlane started 23 games and played in 32 for Colorado this season. Named to the 2025-2026 CSC Academic All-District team, McErlane, a Communications major, maintained a 3.5 GPA while starting in at least 66% of the team's games. McErlane finished her debut season with 42 points, 27 rebounds, 40 assists and 12 steals.

"We're so excited to have Maeve back for her senior year," said Payne. "She's a tremendous leader who stepped into multiple roles for us this past season and did whatever the team needed. Her unselfish attitude and relentless work ethic truly embody what it means to be a Buff."

"Coming back to Colorado for my senior year just feels right," said McErlane. "This program, this team, and Buff Nation have given me so much, and I can't wait to step on the court one last time and give everything I have for them."

McErlane started throughout the back half of the season and logged 30 minutes in Colorado's Big 12 tournament win over Kansas, recording a season high five points and four rebounds (Mar. 5). She also shot 40% or higher on four occasions during the season.

McErlane is the latest in a series of Buffs players who have announced they are returning to Colorado next season, joining Zyanna Walker, Jade Crook, and Kennedy Sanders, so far.

Colorado women's basketball wrapped up the 2025-26 season with its 17th NCAA Tournament appearance all-time, falling 66-57 in the First Round to seven-seed Illinois (Mar. 21). CU finished sixth in the Big 12 conference with an 11-7 record, going 22-12 overall and 14-3 at home. The Buffs have won over 20 games in each of the last five seasons and have appeared in the NCAA Tournament in four of the last five years.

For more information on the Colorado women's basketball team, please visit cubuffs.com/wbb. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffswbb on Instagram, X, and Facebook.

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