The Colorado volleyball team recently held its annual Black and Gold Scrimmage at the CU Events Center, showcasing the talent and skills of all the Buffaloes players. The scrimmage featured four sets, with the Black team taking the first two sets and the Gold team taking sets three and four. It was an exciting opportunity for fans to see the team in action and get a glimpse of what to expect in the upcoming season.
One of the highlights of the scrimmage was the participation of all Colorado volleyball Buffs, including standout players like freshman middle blocker Maria Spławska and sophomore outside hitter Ana Burilović. Both players recently returned from competing in the 2024 CEV U20 European Championships, bringing valuable experience and expertise to the team.
In terms of individual performances, senior setter Taylor Simpson led the Buffs in assists with 40 total across both sides of the net. Simpson also excelled in digs, recording 12 throughout the scrimmage. Burilović had an impressive showing, achieving a double-double with 10 kills and 11 digs, showcasing her versatility and skill on the court.
Sophomore outside hitter Sydney Jordan and Lily Dwinell also had standout performances, finishing the match with 18 kills each. Jordan had a 47% kill percentage, while Dwinell had a 45% kill percentage. Dwinell led the team in earned points with 23, closely followed by Jordan with 20. Freshman outside hitter Gwen Schiff also made an impact, totaling 18 earned points.
On the defensive end, freshman middle blocker Tatum Johnson led the team in blocks with eight, demonstrating her ability to disrupt the opponent’s offense. Freshman libero Katie Salonga also made her presence felt, totaling five aces and keeping the opponent out of system 80% of the time during her serves.
Looking ahead, the Buffaloes have a busy schedule with three matches in the North Texas Invitational followed by two preseason tournaments – the Buffs Classic and Buffs Invitational. Under the leadership of ninth-year head coach Jesse Mahoney, Colorado aims to build on their success from the previous season, where they earned a winning record and secured notable wins against ranked opponents like Arizona State.
For fans looking to stay updated on the Colorado volleyball team, they can visit cubuffs.com/vb or follow @cubuffsvb on Instagram, X, and Facebook. With a talented roster and a dedicated coaching staff, the Buffaloes are poised for an exciting and competitive season ahead.