TEMPE, Ariz. – The Colorado Buffaloes volleyball team faced off against No. 8 Arizona State and lost in a hard-fought four-set match (20-25, 18-25, 25-20, 23-25) on October 10. The Buffs now hold a record of 14-3 and sit at 5-1 in the Big 12.
Every set was competitive, featuring 11 ties and six lead changes. After falling behind in the first two sets, Colorado showed resilience by winning the third but ultimately faltered in the close fourth set.
Head coach Jesse Mahoney praised his team’s effort, saying, “We really fought hard tonight, particularly after the first two sets. We had a chance to push it to five sets, and I liked how we responded.” He pointed out that they struggled with serve-pass, allowing ASU to stay in system most of the match.
The Buffs amassed impressive stats with 46 kills, 49 digs, and 43 assists.
Key Players:
- Inés Losada: A standout with a career-high three aces and two digs.
- Ana Burilovic: Led the team with 19 kills and contributed eight digs and two blocks.
- Maria Splawska: Tied for the match lead in blocks with five and added four digs and one kill.
- Rian Finley: Generated 38 assists along with four digs and three blocks.
- Peyton Neal: Led in digs with 10, adding two assists and an ace.
Arizona State’s Noemie Glover was a key player as well, scoring 21 kills.
Match Breakdown:
The match began with Colorado striking first. However, ASU quickly took control, ending the first set 25-20. Colorado rallied in the third set with powerful plays from Burilovic and Payne, taking it 25-20. The final set was a nail-biter, with the Buffs leading at one point, but ASU closed it out 25-23.
Looking Ahead:
The Buffaloes will next play at home against Utah on October 15 and West Virginia on October 18. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+, giving fans a chance to support their team.
Historically, Colorado has faced ASU 28 times, with a record of 13-15 against them. This loss marked the Buffs’ second 3-1 defeat of the season, putting them at 3-2 in four-set matches.
For additional insights and updates on the Colorado volleyball team, check out CUBuffs.com. Fans can also follow the team on social media for the latest news.
