Colorado Buffs Fall to Indiana Hoosiers in NCAA Volleyball Showdown

UPDATE: The Colorado Buffaloes volleyball team has been eliminated from the NCAA Tournament after a decisive 3-0 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers on December 5, 2025, at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington, Indiana. This outcome ends CU’s season and their pursuit of a Sweet 16 appearance.

The 15th-ranked Hoosiers dominated the match with set scores of 25-20, 25-17, and 25-23, showcasing their strength as they advance to the next round. The Buffaloes, seeded fifth and ranked 24th, entered the tournament with high hopes after a strong season but fell short of their goal.

Colorado’s head coach, Jesse Mahoney, expressed disappointment while acknowledging the formidable challenge posed by Indiana. “We had opportunities to win, especially in set one and set three,” Mahoney stated. “We made errors at critical moments, and Indiana capitalized on those.”

Indiana’s standout performance came from Candela Alonso-Corcelles, who recorded 16 kills with an impressive .556 hitting percentage. Freshman sensation Jaidyn Jager added 15 kills and contributed to Indiana’s commanding .378 hitting percentage overall, compared to Colorado’s .208.

The match started with promise for Colorado as they took an early lead, but Indiana quickly rallied back to take control. In the first set, the Buffs led 6-2 and 9-5 before the Hoosiers tied it up at 11-11. From there, Indiana never looked back. The second set saw CU momentarily surge to a 10-9 lead, only to see the Hoosiers respond with a decisive 5-1 run.

In the third set, Colorado held a significant 22-17 lead, but a late Indiana comeback, fueled by critical plays from Jager, turned the tide. Mahoney noted, “The crowd was electric, and Indiana made runs at crucial moments that we couldn’t counter.”

For senior Sarah Morton, who hails from Munster, Indiana, the loss was bittersweet. “I grew up in this environment, and it was special to play here,” Morton reflected. “But I will always support Colorado.”

Despite the disappointment, both Morton and Mahoney emphasized the positive trajectory of the program. Colorado had faced a challenging season last year, finishing 13-17 and predicted to finish 10th in the Big 12 this year, yet they surpassed expectations by placing third and returning to the NCAA Tournament.

As the Buffs look to the future, Mahoney expressed optimism. “This season has been a learning experience, and I expect us to be an even stronger team next year.”

Moving forward, all eyes will be on the Hoosiers as they prepare for the Sweet 16, while the Buffaloes regroup and develop their strategy for the upcoming season.