BREAKING: The Colorado Buffaloes’ NCAA Tournament journey has come to a sudden halt as they faced a sweeping defeat against the Indiana Hoosiers, losing 3-0 in the second round on December 5, 2025. The match concluded at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington, Indiana, marking a disappointing end to a promising season for the Buffs.
In a clash that was expected to showcase the Buffaloes’ resilience, it was the 15th-ranked Hoosiers who dominated, securing their spot in the Sweet 16 with set scores of 25-20, 25-17, 25-23. Colorado, seeded fifth and with a record of 23-9, was aiming for its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2017 but fell short, despite a strong start.
Coach Jesse Mahoney acknowledged the challenge, stating, “This is a really good team in a tough environment. We felt like we had opportunities in set one and certainly in set three.” The Buffs’ inability to capitalize on early leads ultimately cost them, as Indiana’s momentum surged when it mattered most.
Indiana’s standout performers included Candela Alonso-Corcelles, who racked up 16 kills with an impressive .556 hitting percentage, and freshman sensation Jaidyn Jager, contributing 15 kills at a .375 percentage. The Hoosiers collectively achieved a hitting percentage of .378, significantly outpacing Colorado’s .208
Despite the loss, Colorado’s Ana Burilovic shone with 19 kills, while teammates Sydney Jordan and Cayla Payne added seven kills each. However, the Buffs struggled defensively, yielding too many points to the Hoosiers, a point of frustration for Mahoney, who remarked, “We shouldn’t let anyone hit over .300 on us in any match.”
Colorado initially took control, leading 6-2 and 9-5 in the first set. Nonetheless, Indiana rallied back to take the lead, never looking back. In a similar pattern, CU briefly regained momentum in the second set but fell victim to a decisive 5-1 surge from Indiana.
The third set presented a glimmer of hope for the Buffs, leading 22-17 before Indiana closed out the match with an 8-1 run, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure.
“The crowd was good, and I think they probably fed off that,” Mahoney noted regarding the Hoosiers’ home advantage.
For senior Sarah Morton, the match held bittersweet emotions as she played in her home state of Indiana. “It was great to look in the stands and see a lot of familiar faces, and then also just be in this environment that I grew up in,” Morton expressed.
Despite the immediate disappointment, both Morton and Mahoney emphasized the significant progress the team made this season. After struggling last year, finishing 13-17, the Buffs exceeded expectations by finishing third in the Big 12. They entered the NCAA Tournament after a convincing win against American University in the first round.
As Colorado reflects on this season, Mahoney remains optimistic about the future, stating, “Going through a season like this is going to be a learning experience for us, and I fully expect us to be a better team next year.”
Fans and supporters are left to ponder what could have been, but the Buffs’ journey offers hope for next season’s resurgence.
