| Colorado Buffaloes women's volleyball | |
| University: | University of Colorado Boulder |
| Conference: | Big 12 Conference |
| Conference Short: | Big 12 |
| Location: | Boulder, Colorado |
| City: | Boulder |
| Stateabb: | CO |
| State: | Colorado |
| Athletic Director: | Rick George |
| Coach: | Jesse Mahoney |
| Tenure: | 8th |
| Arena: | CU Events Center |
| Capacity: | 11,064 |
| Nickname: | Buffaloes |
| Ncaasweetsixteen: | 1993, 1994, 1997, 2017 |
| Ncaatourneys: | 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2022 |
| Conference Tournament: | 1992, 1993 |
| Conference Season: | 1993 |
The Colorado Buffaloes volleyball team is the intercollegiate women's volleyball team of the University of Colorado Boulder. They compete in the Big 12 Conference and play their home games at the CU Events Center.
The volleyball program at the University of Colorado began in 1986. The Buffaloes' first head coach was Brad Saindon who was replaced by Mike McLean after three seasons. In McLean's first season, Colorado made its first NCAA tournament appearance. Partway through the 1990 season, Saindon returned as Colorado's head coach.[1] In his second tenure, Saindon led the Buffaloes to two Big Eight championships, two in the tournament and one in the regular season; six NCAA tournament and two semifinal appearances.[2]
Pi'i Aiu took over as head coach starting in 1997. He became the winningest volleyball coach at Colorado, leading the Buffaloes to a 22–9 record and a semifinal appearance in the NCAA tournament.[3] The Buffaloes made nine NCAA tournament appearances during his tenure. Aiu was dismissed as Colorado's head coach on January 12, 2009, following two straight losing seasons.[4]
Following Aiu's dismissal, Liz Kritza was hired to become the head coach of the Buffaloes. She led Colorado to two NCAA tournament appearances. Despite the Buffaloes' record of 57–41 in her last three seasons, Kritza was dismissed after the conclusion of the 2015 season.[5]
Jesse Mahoney became the head coach of the Buffaloes on December 17, 2015. As of the 2022 season, he has led Colorado to another semifinal appearance and three NCAA tournament appearances.[6]
The Colorado Buffaloes have made 21 NCAA tournament appearances, including four regional semifinal appearances. The Buffaloes have a record of 14–20 in the postseason.
| First round | L 0–3 | ||
| First round | L 2–3 | ||
| First round | L 1–3 | ||
| Second round Regional semifinals | W 3–0 L 2–3 | ||
| Second round Regional semifinals | W 3–1 L 0–3 | ||
| First round | L 0–3 | ||
| First round Second round | W 3–1 L 0–3 | ||
| First round Second round Regional semifinals | W 3–0 W 3–2 L 0–3 | ||
| First round Second round | W 3–0 L 1–3 | ||
| First round | W 3–0 | ||
| First round Second round | W 3–1 L 2–3 | ||
| First round Second round | W 3–0 L 2–3 | ||
| First round | L 0–3 | ||
| First round | L 1–3 | ||
| First round | L 1–3 | ||
| First round Second round | W 3–0 L 0–3 | ||
| First round Second round | W 3–1 L 2–3 | ||
| First round Second round | W 3–1 L 2–3 | ||
| First round Second round Regional semifinals | W 3–0 W 3–0 L 0–3 | ||
| First round | L 2–3 | ||
| First round | L 1–3 | ||
The Buffaloes play their home games at the CU Events Center on the campus of the University of Colorado in Boulder. Previously, they played in the Balch Fieldhouse from 1986 to most of the 1987 season.
| Attendance | Opponent | Result | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4,883 | UNLV | L, 1–3 | August 25, 2023 |
| 2 | 4,111 | Nebraska | W, 3–2 | November 11, 2006 |
| 3 | 3,708 | Nebraska | L, 0–3 | October 6, 2007 |
| 4 | 3,685 | Nebraska | L, 0–3 | November 16, 1994 |
| 5 | 3,367 | Nebraska | L, 0–3 | November 25, 1999 |
| 6 | 3,117 | Arizona State | W, 3–2 | October 12, 2012 |
| 7 | 2,987 | Nebraska | L, 0–3 | September 19, 2001 |
| 8 | 2,973 | Nebraska | L, 0–3 | November 13, 2010 |
| 9 | 2,906 | Nebraska | L, 0–3 | September 27, 1995 |
| 10 | 2,879 | Nebraska | L, 2–3 | November 4, 1992 |
| 11 | 2,851 | Arizona | L, 1–3 | October 14, 2012 |
| 12 | 2,846 | Stanford | L, 2–3 | October 17, 2014 |
| 13 | 2,843 | Texas | L, 2–3 | September 3, 1989 |
| 14 | 2,817 | Nebraska | W, 3–1 | October 29, 2008 |
| 15 | 2,777 | UCLA | W, 3–2 | September 27, 2013 |