UPDATE: The No. 21 Colorado Buffaloes volleyball team suffered a stunning defeat against the Cincinnati Bearcats on November 24, 2023, falling in straight sets with scores of 25-15, 25-16, 25-16. This loss marks just the third time this season the Buffs have been swept, raising immediate concerns as they head into their final match of the regular season.
The Buffs were unable to find their rhythm, posting a disappointing hitting percentage of .105 compared to .404 from Cincinnati. Head coach Jesse Mahoney expressed frustration over the team’s performance, stating,
“A disappointing result. Cincinnati did everything right, and we couldn’t get going. We just couldn’t slow them down for whatever reason.”
This defeat comes after a string of solid performances, emphasizing the urgency for the team to regroup.
Currently holding a record of 22-7 and 12-5 in the Big 12, the Buffaloes now face a critical matchup against No. 25 BYU next Saturday, December 2, at 6 p.m. (ESPN+). As the regular season concludes, every match is crucial for momentum heading into postseason play.
Cincinnati’s standout players included Nolan with 19 kills and Gillespie with 3 aces, while Colorado’s top performers were Jordan and Splawska, both contributing 8 kills each. The Buffs will need to address their defensive lapses and regain their discipline as they prepare for their next challenge.
As the volleyball community reflects on this unexpected outcome, fans are left wondering how the Buffs will respond in their upcoming match against BYU. Will they regain their footing, or will this setback haunt them as they move closer to the postseason? Stay tuned for the latest developments as Colorado aims to bounce back.
