UPDATE: The Colorado Buffaloes’ NCAA Tournament journey came to a sudden halt as they suffered a devastating defeat to the Indiana Hoosiers, losing in a three-game sweep on December 5, 2025, at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington, Indiana. The Hoosiers, ranked 15th and seeded fourth, outperformed CU with scores of 25-20, 25-17, 25-23.
In this critical second-round matchup, Colorado, seeded fifth and ranked 24th, was unable to capitalize on early leads, ultimately falling short of reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017. This loss marks a bitter end for the Buffs, who made a strong comeback season after finishing 13-17 in 2024.
“I would have liked for us to have played a little bit better,” said head coach Jesse Mahoney. “This is a really good team in a tough environment, and we had opportunities in set one and set three to position ourselves better for victory.”
Despite leading at times, Colorado could not contain Indiana’s star performers. Candela Alonso-Corcelles dominated the court with 16 kills and a hitting percentage of .556, while freshman sensation Jaidyn Jager added 15 kills at a .375 hitting percentage. The Hoosiers finished the match with a remarkable overall hitting percentage of .378, while CU struggled at .208.
Despite a promising start, including a 6-2 lead in the first set, Colorado quickly lost momentum. Indiana capitalized on critical plays, taking command after tying the first set at 11-11. The Buffs displayed resilience, rallying to take a lead in the second set, but the Hoosiers responded with a decisive 5-1 run that shifted the momentum.
In the third set, Colorado came out strong, holding a 22-17 lead. However, Indiana closed the match with an impressive 8-1 run, powered by three kills from Jager and several costly errors from the Buffs.
Mahoney noted, “They definitely made runs to break it open, and we couldn’t slow down their two left-side hitters. That was the difference in the match.”
For senior Sarah Morton, who hails from Munster, Indiana, the defeat held emotional weight. “It was great to look in the stands and see a lot of familiar faces,” she reflected. “But obviously, ‘Go Colorado’ for the rest of my life.”
Despite the disappointment, Morton emphasized pride in her team’s journey. “I’m proud of this team. We put up a fight till the very end,” she stated.
The Buffs overcame expectations this season, initially predicted to finish 10th in the Big 12, ultimately securing a third-place finish and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. They had swept past American University just days prior to reach this round.
Looking ahead, Mahoney remains optimistic about the future. “Going through a season like this will be a learning experience for us, and I fully expect us to be a better team next year,” he said.
The Colorado Buffaloes’ season may have ended, but their resurgent performance this year has laid a strong foundation for future success in collegiate volleyball.
