Colorado Falls to Indiana in NCAA Tournament Second Round Battle
The No. 24 Colorado volleyball team was eliminated from the NCAA tournament after a 3-0 loss to No. 15 Indiana in the second round. The match, held on Dec. 5, saw Colorado struggle to maintain momentum, losing sets 25-20, 25-17, and 25-23. Despite a strong performance by Ana Burilovic, the Buffs failed to capitalize on key moments, leading to a disappointing end to their season. Head coach Jesse Mahoney expressed pride in the team's accomplishments, emphasizing their unexpected tournament run. Colorado finished the season with a record of 23-9 and a third-place finish in the Big 12.
By the Numbers- Ana Burilovic led the match with 19 kills and 7 digs.
- Rian Finley tied for the lead in assists with 29 while adding 3 kills.
- Colorado finishes the season with a 23-9 record and a 12-6 conference record.
- This marks Colorado's 14th NCAA tournament appearance, with a 14-22 all-time record in NCAA play.
The team will focus on off-season training and possibly strengthening their lineup through recruitment. With strong performances from key players like Burilovic, there is potential for a more competitive season next year. Additionally, the coaching staff may evaluate strategies to improve their performance in crucial match moments.
Bottom LineWhile this loss is a setback, the Buffaloes exceeded expectations this season, transforming from a predicted last-place finish to an NCAA tournament berth. The focus now shifts to building on this foundation for future success.
Read more at University of Colorado Athletics
The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI

