The first contest of the Golden Spike took place against Colorado and Colorado State. The 17th-ranked Buffaloes defeated Colorado State by three sets to two. With the win, Colorado extends its winning streak to start the season to nine. It matches the program’s longest winning streak in program history.
Colorado got off to a two-set lead before Colorado State stormed back in the third to make it 2-1. In the fourth and decisive set, CU proved to be too much for the Rams, winning 25-21. Colorado was led by senior Ana Burilovi. She finished the match with a match-high 22 kills to go along with 10 digs.
Burilovic’s first double-double of the season and the 11th of her career. The energy in the building was palpable, as the match drew the largest crowd at the CU Events Center since the Buffs joined the Big XII in 2024, and the sixth-largest attendance ever for a Colorado volleyball match.
“That was an awesome environment. It energized our players, and it was great to see so many students there,” Buffaloes head coach Jesse Mahoney said.
The Buffaloes head to Fort Collins tomorrow night for the second match of the annual home-and-home, where they will be faced with a hostile crowd as they seek their program-record 10th straight victory.
“Tomorrow’s gonna be a tougher matchup. The same team with some incentive and to play in front of 6,000 CSU students up there,” Coach Mahoney said. “We’re looking forward to that.”
