University of Colorado Athletics
Sanders Lobato Promoted To Associate Head Coach And Offensive Coordinator
August 03, 2026 | Volleyball
BOULDER — University of Colorado assistant volleyball coach Evan Sanders Lobato was promoted to associate head coach and offensive coordinator, as announced by head coach Jesse Mahoney on Monday.
"Evan has played a vital role in the success and continued growth of our program since she arrived in Boulder. Her leadership, volleyball knowledge and ability to build meaningful relationships with our student-athletes make her an outstanding coach and mentor," Mahoney said. "This promotion is a well-deserved recognition of everything she has contributed to Colorado Volleyball, and I'm excited to continue building the future of our program alongside her."
A Colorado native, Sanders Lobato enters her 11th season with the Buffs after joining the staff in February 2016.
During her time in Boulder, Sanders Lobato has helped lead Colorado to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by a Sweet 16 berth in 2017 and a return to postseason play in 2025. The Buffaloes finished the 2025 season with a 23-9 overall record, including a 12-6 mark in Big 12 play.
"I am grateful Jesse gave me an opportunity to be part of Colorado Volleyball 11 years ago. Today, I am grateful to him, our SWA, Jill Keegan, and our athletic director, Fernando Lovo, for giving me the opportunity to continue with this program as associate head coach," Sanders Lobato said. "The state of Colorado is home, this team is part of my family and the Boulder community has been so good to me. I love this place and am thankful for all the support. Go Buffs!"
Sanders Lobato has been instrumental in recruiting and developing student-athletes who have earned All-America, all-region and all-conference honors. This includes Naghede Abu, who was named first-team All-Pac-12, first-team AVCA All-Region, third-team All-America and leads the all-time career total blocks list with 582; Alexa Smith, a first-team All-Pac-12 and first-team AVCA All-Region honoree who also earned All-America honorable mention and stands as the program's all-time kills leader; and Jenna Ewert, who earned Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honors as a setter.
She also helped assemble a nationally ranked recruiting class after the 2018 season and has played a key role in the program's sustained success through its transition from the Pac-12 to the Big 12.
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.
