The Colorado Buffaloes volleyball team is the intercollegiate women's volleyball team of the University of Colorado Boulder. They compete in the Big 12 Conference and play their home games at the CU Events Center.

History The volleyball program at the University of Colorado began in 1986. The Buffaloes' first head coach was Brad Saindon, who Mike McLean replaced after three seasons. In McLean's first season, Colorado made its first NCAA tournament appearance. Partway through the 1990 season, Saindon returned as Colorado's head coach. In his second tenure, Saindon led the Buffaloes to two Big Eight championships, two in the tournament and one in the regular season; six NCAA tournament and two semifinal appearances.

Pi'i Aiu took over as head coach starting in 1997. He became the winningest volleyball coach at Colorado, leading the Buffaloes to a 22–9 record and a semifinal appearance in the NCAA tournament. The Buffaloes made nine NCAA tournament appearances during his tenure. Aiu was dismissed as Colorado's head coach on January 12, 2009, following two straight losing seasons.

Following Aiu's dismissal, Liz Kritza was hired to become the head coach of the Buffaloes. She led Colorado to two NCAA tournament appearances. Despite the Buffaloes' record of 57–41 in her last three seasons, Kritza was dismissed after the conclusion of the 2015 season.

Jesse Mahoney became the head coach of the Buffaloes on December 17, 2015. As of the 2025 season, he has led Colorado to another semifinal appearance and four NCAA tournament appearances.

Head coaches Brad Saindon (1986–1988, 1990–1996) Mike McLean (1989–1990) Pi'i Aiu (1997–2008) Liz Kritza (2009–2015) Jesse Mahoney (2016–present)

Season-by-season results

Postseason The Colorado Buffaloes have made 22 NCAA tournament appearances, including four regional semifinal appearances. The Buffaloes have a record of 14–22 in the postseason. 1989 First round Minnesota L 0–3 1991 First round Penn State L 2–3 1992 First round Nebraska L 1–3 1993 Second roundRegional semifinals IllinoisPenn State W 3–0L 2–3 1994 Second roundRegional semifinals Northern IowaNebraska W 3–1L 0–3 1995 First round Northern Iowa L 0–3 1996 First roundSecond round Oral RobertsHawaii W 3–1L 0–3 1997 First roundSecond roundRegional semifinals Tennessee TechOral RobertsStanford W 3–0W 3–2L 0–3 1998 First roundSecond round San JoseIllinois W 3–0L 1–3 1999 First round Utah L 0–3 2000 First roundSecond round Georgia TechColorado State W 3–1L 2–3 2001 First roundSecond round AmericanColorado State W 3–0L 2–3 2003 First round Michigan L 0–3 2004 First round Hawaii L 1–3 2005 First round Colorado State L 1–3 2006 First roundSecond round New Mexico StateWashington W 3–0L 0–3 2013 First roundSecond round Iowa StateMinnesota W 3–1L 2–3 2014 First roundSecond round Northern ColoradoColorado State W 3–1L 2–3 2017 First roundSecond roundRegional semifinals James MadisonBaylorNebraska W 3–0W 3–0L 0–3 2018 First round South Carolina L 2–3 2022 First round Rice L 1–3 2025 First roundSecond round AmericanIndiana W 3–0L 0–3

Facilities The Buffaloes play their home games at the CU Events Center on the campus of the University of Colorado in Boulder. Previously, they played in the Balch Fieldhouse from 1986 to most of the 1987 season.

+ Top home attendance figures Rank Attendance Opponent Result Date 1 4,883 UNLV L, 1–3 August 25, 2023 2 4,111 Nebraska W, 3–2 November 11, 2006 3 3,708 Nebraska L, 0–3 October 6, 2007 4 3,695 Colorado State W, 3–2 September 16, 2022 5 3,685 Nebraska L, 0–3 November 16, 1994 6 3,367 Nebraska L, 0–3 November 25, 1999 7 3,117 Arizona State W, 3–2 October 12, 2012 8 2,987 Nebraska L, 0–3 September 19, 2001 9 2,973 Nebraska L, 0–3 November 13, 2010 10 2,906 Nebraska L, 0–3 September 27, 1995 11 2,879 Nebraska L, 2–3 November 4, 1992 12 2,851 Arizona L, 1–3 October 14, 2012 13 2,846 Stanford L, 2–3 October 17, 2014 14 2,843 Texas L, 2–3 September 3, 1989 15 2,817 Nebraska W, 3–1 October 29, 2008

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