Jordan dominates as Buffaloes sweep Eagles

Sydney Jordan attacks in stride, igniting Colorado’s offense in the first-round win. (Photo by Fidel Gonzalez/Sko Buffs Sports)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The No. 5 Colorado Buffaloes won against the American University Eagles (24-5, 15-1 Patriot League) in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Buffs swept the Eagles, 25-16, 25-19 and 25-16.

Colorado set the tone early in every set, jumping out to big leads behind strong serving and blocking. The Americans struggled with attack and service errors, allowing the Buffs to control the game's momentum from the start. 

Colorado’s offense ran heavily through their star hitters Sydney Jordan, Ana Burilović and Lily Dwinell, along with middle blockers Cayla Payne and Maria Spawska.

Colorado opened the first set with a 7-2 run, fueled by Burilović, Spawska and a few American attack errors. The Eagles called their first timeout at 10-3 as Colorado controlled the game. Another serving run powered by Jordan got the lead to 17-8. 

The Eagles tried to rally back, but the Buffs kept firing on all cylinders. A kill from Jordan finished the first set with a score of 25-16.

American found its groove a bit more in the second set, but Colorado found ways to get the momentum back on their side. CU responded to American’s early lead with a 5-0 run with the help of an ace and two solo blocks from Jordan. 

Jordan took over the set with four back-to-back kills off assists from setter Rian Finley and Libero Sarah Morton. American made a late push off a serving run, but Burilović ended the set with a kill 25-19.

The Buffs exploded to a 6-0 start in the third set behind Jordan’s serve, an ace, three kills and multiple attack errors from the Eagles. American took a timeout immediately, but couldn't stop CU’s momentum. 

Burilović added another ace to bring the score to 12-4. Jordan was unstoppable offensively, scoring multiple times in transition. American mustered together a late push to bring the score to 23-15. Payne sealed the match with the final kill, 25-16.

Jordan finished the match with 15 kills, and Burilović added nine. The Buffs hit .327 in the match. The Eagles were led by Salme Adeele Hollas with 10 kills, while Sophie Defour and Carly Sciborski both added seven.

“Honestly, just like swing high, try and find places to place the ball,” Jordan said. “ Like, I feel like we were all kind of flowing and even when we were struggling a little bit in that game, I feel like none of us really faltered.”

The Colorado Buffaloes will take on the Indiana Hoosiers (24-7, 14-6 Big 10). The game will take place in Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington, Indiana, at 4 p.m. MT/ 6 p.m. EST (ESPN+).