Buffaloes fall to BYU Cougars in four sets on Senior Day

Junior middle blocker Cayla Payne celebrates against No. 24 BYU Cougars. (Photo by Jacob Hock/Sko Buffs Sports)

The No. 23 Colorado Buffaloes (22-8, 12-6 Big 12) took on the No. 24 BYU Cougars (22-8, 10-8) Saturday afternoon at the CU Events Center, as the Cougars won 3-1.

For two players, this was the last conference play of their collegiate careers. Senior setter Rian Finely and libero Sarah Morton were celebrated before the game started to honor their time as Colorado Buffaloes.

The two were accompanied by family members, flowers and stuffed buffaloes to cherish their final moments on the CU Events Center court.

Over the course of the match, Colorado had 137 total attacks, 48 kills, 27 attack errors, a hitting percentage of .153, five service aces, 43 digs and 11 blocks. 

BYU collected 135 total attacks, 56 kills, 23 attack errors, a hitting percentage of .244, four service aces, 49 digs and 11 blocks.

Senior setter Rian Finely and libero Sarah Morton get celebrated at the CU Events Center for Senior Day on Saturday. Photo by (Jacob Hock/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Buffs aimed to make the last conference game of the season memorable for its seniors against BYU. Colorado came out strong with a five-point scoring run. Duo Cayla Payne and Lily Dwinell displayed strong defense with a stiff block (6-4 CU). Payne was on a roll in the first set after a right slot kill shut BYU down (8-6 CU). 

Morton made the game count with two stellar digs (10-8 CU) that led to a block from Dwinell and middle blocker Maria Spławska. However, after a challenge from the Cougars, the call was reversed and evened the score at nine. Payne continued on her offensive roll with a solo block against the Cougars (15-14 CU). 

Nevertheless, even with Payne’s defense and offensive performance, the Cougars took the first set 25-22.

As the two teams transitioned into the second set, BYU struggled to defend the backcourt, as the Buffs went on a three-point scoring run. A tip from Finely sent all the Cougars diving into midcourt to salvage the ball (10-6 BYU). 

Although the Buffs kept the lead with comfortable room to spare, they continued to give points to the Cougars on small mistakes that added up. A stiff block from Payne and pin attacker Ana Burilović got the crowd roaring as the Buffs rolled toward set point. Burilovic finished off the second set with an ace to win it for the Buffs 20-25.

Heading into the third set, the Buffs’ offense and defense were at their peak. Mistakes were lessened and points were racking up. After much back and forth from the two teams, BYU eventually made a comeback to a one-point deficit that turned into a Cougar 21-18 lead. 

Morton showed clear frustration on the court over missed balls on her behalf and miscommunication. With the Cougars at set point, Morton was swapped out for freshman pin attacker Ines Losada, but the rotation ended in BYU taking the third set 25-20.

BYU and Colorado continued their back-and-forth battle in the fourth set. However, midway through that set, Colorado lost its composure at a rapid pace. 

The Cougars took over the fourth set with a three-point lead, 15-12. The Buffaloes couldn’t repeat their organized third set, but instead were messy in both defense and offense. 

But Colorado was not easily willing to give over its senior game. A kill from Burilović made the crowd roar to life as the Buffs cut the deficit to 19-18. However, the Buffs’ optimistic comeback wasn’t good enough to stop the bleeding against BYU, as the Cougars finished off the set 25-20.

Both seniors seemed confident and focused on how their actions and preparations would impact their tournament play. 

“We’re hungry,” Morton said. “...If we’re going down, we’re going down with a fight.” 

“I think we’re really focused in on our defensive systems and making sure that we’re executing what we need to so we’re not giving up these run points like we did tonight,” Rian Finley said. “But we are hungry, and we’re going to come into practice ready. Ready to work so we can make it as far as we can.”

The Buffs finish their season 12-6 in conference play and 22-8 overall. They turn their focus to Selection Day for the NCAA tournament, which will be on Sunday at 4 p.m. MT (ESPN).

Buffaloes fall to BYU Cougars in four sets on Senior Day