Colorado volleyball sets attendance record in game one of the Golden Spike
No better event in sports than a rivalry. The Colorado Buffaloes hosted their in-state rival, the Colorado State Rams, winning for the first time in the CU Events Center since 2022. This was largely due to the seventh-largest crowd ever.
Three thousand four hundred ninety-four Buffs fans helped cheer the team to a 3-1 victory over the Rams on Thursday, visibly impacting the game.
“What an amazing crowd,” head coach Jesse Mahoney said after the game. “That was an awesome environment. I think it really energized our players.”
The mark was the highest attendance since the Buffs rejoined the Big 12. The Buffs offered free Chick-fil-A sandwiches and T-shirts to the first 200 students. In total, 1,297 students attended the match. This effort continues CU’s new athletic director Fernando Lovo's push to increase fan and student engagement.
“Having a big crowd like that is unmatched,” senior hitter Lily Dwinell said.
Even though the game was a slugfest with both teams combining for 61 total errors, fans stayed for the four-set game.
“It feels good to have all these people here supporting us,” sophomore attacker Ines Losada said.
Colorado now improves to a program-best 9-0, only matched in 2021 and last year, 2025. That success has gone a long way toward promoting the program and drawing the largest crowd since 2022.
“I think it's a testament to our players and being a ranked team and being undefeated,” Mahoney said.
Colorado is also celebrating its 40th anniversary with large covers honoring the program's history.
“There is a lot of history here and a lot of amazing coaches and players that have come through here,” Mahoney said.
Among the players on the covers is senior pin attacker Ana Burilovic, who led all attackers with 22 kills against the Rams. She moved to the sole possession of fifth place in program kills in the rally-scoring era that began in 2001 with 1,204 kills.
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