Taylor Simpson (Fin’25) is . While she calls the plays and touches the ball on nearly every point, Simpson says she is only one of “19 leaders on the team,” and that life after graduation might have to include some volleyball.

As a senior, how do you lead and mentor your teammates?

Communication is key. We have a high standard of holding each other accountable, whether it’s something we want to celebrate or something to improve. We have 19 leaders on the team — a freshman or sophomore can hold a senior accountable. Leadership is cyclical. We’re all kind of leaders, all with different roles and strengths.

Off the court, what helps the team to gel together?

We like to spend as much time together off the court as possible. We eat every meal together — seriously, I’ve eaten every meal in the last three years with my teammates. We appreciate each other as friends, whether that’s hanging out, going to the pool, watching a movie, whatever.

What stands out to you about this year’s team?

We are so close. We have 19 girls who are best friends, and that’s hard to come by. We have a lot of fun. We’re here to work, but we don’t forget our personalities. Last spring, our head coach Jesse Mahoney started “task Tuesdays.” We would get a paper with three tasks on it. Two would be volleyball related and one would be funny. One time, the third task was “Start dancing after you get a kill.” That stuff helps the team stay close.

Why did you choose CU Boulder?

An initial reason was CU being in the Pac-12, because I grew up on the West Coast. But honestly, I could totally see myself here when I came to visit. It’s so beautiful. Plus, the team culture has made it a home away from home. And now, with the move to the Big 12, I am excited to see new places. The conference switch has been great for the university.

What is something you’ve learned from coach Mahoney?

It’s hard to pick one. Coach Jesse is one of the most patient people I’ve met. Being patient is something that I’ve struggled with. He’s calm and collected. That attitude reflects onto the players. That’s helped me a lot in games when I’m frustrated or not playing my best.

How does the setter position work?

People compare the setter to a football quarterback. You run the court. You’re the one controlling everything. Ideally, you touch the ball every play. I find the best hitters to set the ball to and hope we can get a kill.

How do you communicate plays to your teammates?

My coaches pretty much give me free rein with play calls. We have about 20 plays, each with a different hand signal. I call them before serving. If it’s a chaotic situation, the hitters adjust to something simpler. We also watch a lot of film on our opponents — if they’re weak at blocking on the outside, we’ll set the outside as much as possible. Same if we see weaknesses in other areas.

In a match, you might have to set the ball up to 100 times. What kind of training program do you follow to sustain your health and strength?

We’re doing strength, cardio, circuits, power lifts, jumping. Working all parts of our bodies helps keep us in top condition. Nothing is getting too stiff. Nothing is getting weak. Communication with our trainers is so important. If I do something 100 times and it feels off once, I’m communicating that. Recovery and treatment are key as well.

What is your favorite part about playing volleyball?

I love the sport. It’s awesome how rapidly it’s growing. I met all my best friends through volleyball. I’m so grateful for this opportunity. I started playing when I was 9, and it’s hard to imagine my life without it.

How does your team maintain such positive energy on the court?

Staying positive and supportive is one of the hardest skills to learn, even though it’s not physical. It’s something a lot of us have worked on. We do team workshops with our sports psychology staff to learn how to be better teammates. We are truly a family. These are my sisters. We want the best for each other.

What do you like to do off the court?

I love the ocean. The beach is my escape, my happy place. And I love to laugh with friends. It’s super important to joke and have fun.

Do you have plans for after graduation?

I have a wealth management internship. I’ll be taking exams once I graduate to get my financial planner license and my financial advisor license, along with a few others. Right now, that’s my plan. But I could see more volleyball in my future. I don’t know if I’ll be ready to give it up. Ask me in six months.

Interview by Andrew Daigle

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Photos by the University of Colorado

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After men’s basketball made a postseason run that included, the tireless Buffaloes made unprecedented headlines this summer: Three Forever Buffs were drafted to the NBA, Derrick White (Mgmt’17) earned an NBA Championship and Olympic gold, and two hoops legends joined Colorado’s coaching staff.

On June 26, for the first time in Buffs history, two CU Boulder players were chosen during the NBA Draft’s first round. Cody Williams (IntPhys ex’27) went No. 10 to the Utah Jazz and Tristan da Silva (Fin’24) went No. 18 to the Orlando Magic. In the second round, KJ Simpson (LeadCommEngmt’25) was drafted at No. 12 (42nd pick overall) — giving the Buffs their highest-ever ranked draft class.

“You want to help kids achieve their dreams,” said head coach Tad Boyle, who attended the draft. “That’s what college basketball is about.” 

Four days later, 2017 first round pick Derrick White kept the Buffs in the headlines when he agreed to a four-year, $125.9 million contract extension, just two weeks after winning the NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics. Soon after, he was named to the U.S. Olympic team, earning a gold medal when the U.S. defeated France 98-87 in the Paris Games.

Following a summer of accolades for past Buffs, Colorado’s 2024–25 squad is reloading in its return to the Big 12 with a coaching staff bolstered by NCAA champion and NBA All-Star Danny Manning and former “Mayor of Boulder” Evan Battey (Jour’21, MSOL’23).

“I’ll bring the energy, the emotion, the experience,” Battey said.

Cody Williams

KJ Simpson

Tristan Da Silva

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In 2017, her first season, Brynna DeLuzio (Mktg’21; MRecEcon’22) flourished as setter, finishing 10th in the NCAA in assists, earning All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention and helping CU to an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. 

then spent seasons switching between setter (offense) and libero (defensive specialist, pronounced “luh-bear-OH”). Due to positional need, she played libero full-time in 2021. The results: 4.67 average digs per set, best in the Pac-12, a CU record and another All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention. 

“She can play two positions at an extremely high level. However, the most important thing she brings is her dedication,” said head coach Jesse Mahoney. “She is the standard that all of our players should strive toward.” 

Liberos are self-sacrificing. Digs require frequent dives onto knees and elbows. Five sets in the ready position stress the shoulders and back. And liberos rarely leap up to kill a set ball. 

DeLuzio knows sacrifice: “I’m a gym rat. What I work on depends on who we play that week — the spot, angle or line of defense.” 

Unwilling to rest on her record-breaking 2021, the 5'9'' DeLuzio trained in the off -season to potentially return to setter. She liked how the setter had control of the ball in every play, but was concerned opponents might hit over her blocks. 

Enter Adam Ringler, assistant director of strength and conditioning and head of sport science research. He designed a team training program of force plate jumps and plyometrics, which DeLuzio focused on to help her excel as a setter. DeLuzio surpassed all expectations. 

“She ended up adding 4.5 inches to her vertical,” said Ringler. “We might see that with freshmen that have never done structured strength conditioning, but for a sixth-year athlete, that’s crazy.” 

The gains apply similarly for libero. The vertical gain correlates to increased horizontal dive range. But, DeLuzio always plays where she best supports her team. 

“I give my all, every practice, every game,” DeLuzio said. “If not, I’m doing a disservice to my team and myself for my final season.” 

DeLuzio plans another switch after this season. In January, she will begin training to play beach volleyball professionally.

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Photo courtesy CU Athletics

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New Alliance
The Pac-12, ACC and Big Ten — three of the nation’s Power Five athletic conferences — announced a handshake partnership Aug. 24. 

“There’s a lot going on in our industry,” CU Athletic Director Rick George said. “This alliance allows us to collaborate on these issues and bring stability to college athletics and the collegiate model.” 

Such issues include evolving NCAA legislation on name, image and likeness (NIL); the expected expansion of the College Football Playoff; and conference instability, notably Texas and Oklahoma leaving the Big 12 for the SEC (effective 2025). To start, the alliance will encourage more interconference scheduling, multi-team, single-site events featuring teams from all three conferences and increased national television exposure. 

With its 41 institutions united, the alliance could determine the future of the College Football Playoff, while also combining the resources of its research universities to improve student-athlete health and wellness. 

Buffs Bits
Ralphie VI debuted Sept. 3, leading the Buffs football team onto Folsom Field to face Northern Colorado. The Ralphie Live Mascot Program is funded entirely by private support from donors. … Anthony Pham, tennis associate head coach, was promoted to head coach on July 26. Pham is the seventh head coach in program history. … Men’s basketball went undefeated on its four-game exhibition tour of Costa Rica in August. The on-court highlight came against Selección de Baloncesto when Jabari Walker (ExSt’24) shattered the backboard on a dunk attempt in the third quarter. Without a replacement backboard, the game was called with CU ahead 68-54. … On Sept. 18 Buffs volleyball extended its school-record undefeated start to the season to nine matches, taking down rival Colorado State twice in a row. … Women’s golf’s Ellie Gower (A&S’23) finished runner-up at the English Women’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship Aug. 17-19 in Wallasey, United Kingdom.

Coach Talk
“The crowd was absolutely fantastic. This has been the best environment since I’ve been here in my 10 years. This needs to be the standard for CU soccer, not the exception.”

— Soccer head coach Danny Sanchez after 2,536 fans attended the Buffs’ home game against No. 1 Florida State Aug. 29.

Stats

$1 
Bonus Spencer Dinwiddie (Comm ex'15) will receive, per his three-year, $62-million contract with the Washington Wizards, if the team wins the NBA championship
 
5th
Melissa Stockwell's (Comm’02) place in the triathlon (PTS2) at the Tokyo Paralympics
 
6 
Total CU women’s cross-country runners who placed in the top 10 at the season-opening Wyoming Invitational in Cheyenne
 
30 
CU club sports teams will resume competition in 2021-2022
 
281
Buffs rushing yards in football’s season-opening 35-7 victory over Northern Colorado on Sept. 3.
 
15th 
Stage of the Tour de France won by Sepp Kuss (Advert’17) in July, the first American to win a stage of the race since 2011

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Photos by Glenn Asakawa (Ralphie); Courtesy CU Athletics (Ellie Gower) 

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When CU volleyball’s Rachael Fara (MChemEngr’21) arrived at CU in July 2020, quarantine and a shoulder surgery had left her body weak and atrophied.

Enter Adam Ringler, CU’s assistant director of strength and conditioning and head of sport science research. His specialized recovery program for Fara included jumping on force plates to measure lower body power and symmetry, limited jumps in practice and a daily questionnaire about mood, soreness and hydration. Six months later, Fara started 2021 as the Pac-12’s most statistically effective hitter.

“The culture Coach Ringler has in the weight room helped me find joy in a sport that had physically beaten me down,” said Fara.

Sport science helps student-athletes understand the competing stressors on their bodies. Force plate measurements, for instance, can indicate whether to push intensity or go lighter to support recovery.

Ringler’s sport science initiatives integrate state-of-the-art technologies that identify performance deviations and help staff intervene before student-athletes suffer unnecessary stress or injury. In addition to muscle group activation measurements, he employs a system to track acceleration and distance run, and another to assess joint range of motion. Heart rate monitors record cardiovascular strain. 

“These data sources are independent silos of information, and they’re all incredibly valuable,” Ringler said. 

Sport science is one aspect of CU’s Crawford Family WHOLE (Wellness, Health and Optimal Life Experience) Student-Athlete Program, named in August 2021  — the largest one-time gift in CU Athletics history — with much of it designated to address student athletes’ physical and psychological health while providing academic and career support. 

To support the WHOLE program, Athletics partnered with management system Kitman Labs last July to organize student-athlete inputs.  

“[Sport science] supplemented the X’s and O’s of basketball and weightlifting,” said women’s basketball’s Annika Jank (Comm’21). “My body composition completely changed.”

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Emily DeMure (Soc’20) plays any position CU volleyball asks of her. She mentors teammates and is a beloved ambassador for the squad. 

“She is hands down the hardest worker on the team,” said outside hitter Justine Spann (Soc’20). 

DeMure’s versatility extends well beyond the court. 

The California native won Miss Colorado USA 2020 in October. She’ll represent the state at the Miss USA pageant this spring. Another win and she’ll compete for Miss Universe. 

DeMure multitasks out of necessity. She’ll often walk on a treadmill at night while reading her textbooks. 

In the fall, DeMure refined her stage presence and public speaking. 

“I would FaceTime my grandma every night. She would ask me interview questions,” she said. 

DeMure wore her mom’s white, full-length pageant gown for Miss Colorado USA. 

“My mom competed in scholarship pageants to accumulate money for college,” said DeMure, who explained her mom also coaches volleyball and introduced her to the sport at age 6. 

Everything culminated Oct. 24-27 with two home volleyball matches and three days of pageant activities in Greeley. After playing Washington State and attending rehearsals and early round competitions for Miss Colorado USA, she advanced to the final day. 

“I got up at 4:45 a.m. and had my makeup done. I had my hair in curlers and went to play Washington,” DeMure said. “As soon as the match was over, my assistant coach drove me to Greeley. I had to blow dry my hair in the car. I ran in backstage with my heels in my hands. The other young women were cheering for me. I got there two minutes before everything began.” 

Hours later, she was crowned Miss Colorado USA 2020. 

DeMure intends to inspire young people to pursue their own passions: “I focus on presenting the best version of myself, articulating and communicating things that are weighing on my heart.” 

Photos courtesy CU Athletics 

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New head volleyball coach chose the sporting life over the law

Jesse Mahoney (Psych’94; Law’99) enrolled at Colorado Law with every intention of becoming an attorney. But he’s made his career on the court, not in one.

“As I finished my degree, I started getting offers to coach and took a leap,” says the former CU men’s club volleyball champion. “I took that path for a lot less money and it all worked out in the end.”

For Mahoney, the end is a new beginning in Boulder. Sixteen years after graduating from law school, he’s back on campus as the fifth head coach of the Buffs women’s varsity volleyball program.

He succeeds Liz Kritza, who was dismissed in early December after seven seasons in the job.

Now 44, Mahoney started his coaching career as an assistant for the CU men’s club volleyball team in the mid-1990s. As a player in 1993, he helped the team to a national championship, then served as head coach from 1995 to 1998, a period when the team was consistently ranked in the top 20 nationally.

Mahoney’s first varsity coaching job, in 1998, was as an assistant at Colorado Christian. Over the next 17 years, he coached at Fort Hays State in Kansas, Colorado State and the University of Denver, where he was head coach for the past four years.

The Pioneers were 88-41 under his watch, earning back-to-back Summit League regular season and tournament titles and reaching the NCAA Tournament two years running.

“When I met with our volleyball student-athletes, I told them that we would go out and hire the best coach, mentor and leader for them, and I feel like we accomplished all three,” CU athletic director Rick George says. “I am excited that Jesse is back home again as a Buff.”

Mahoney, who started his new job in December, also has been reacquainting himself with campus, and not just the gym.

“I walked through Norlin with the recruits the other day … The Alferd Packer Grill — no one knows that anymore, so I was explaining that.”

Every day is a trip down memory lane, which may be more fun for him, he jokes, than for his coaching staff.

“My assistants are already tired of the phrase, ‘When I went to school here…’”

Photo by CU Athletics

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Stats

2.892

was the GPA of CU’s student-athletes during spring, the second-highest average since 1996.

500

is how many CU football radio broadcasts KOA’s Larry Zimmer had called after he worked the home game against Arizona on Oct. 26.

3

is the number of CU football games ever postponed: in 2013 (Fresno State in September because of flooding), 2001 and 1963.

$2,000,000

has been raised by the Buffalo Bicycle Classic for scholarships for high-performing students who qualify for financial aid.

800

students have won scholarship support, thanks to our Buffalo Bicycle Classic riders and sponsors.

CU Volleyball Sets Victories

Liz Kritza had gone without a victory over a nationally ranked opponent in her first 4.5 seasons as volleyball coach. But in an eight-day span, the Buffs knocked off  two nationally ranked programs — No. 11-ranked UCLA and No. 1-ranked Washington. It was the second time in program history that the Buffs have beaten a top-ranked team, Nebraska in 2006 being the other. “Years of work go into something like this,” Kritza says.

Buff Tidbits

Darian Hagan (Soc ex’92), a starting quarterback, and former Buff men’s basketball coach Frosty Cox will be inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame on April 17. Men’s golf earned the team title for the second time in three years at the Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational in Erie. Nikki Marshall (Soc’10) won a National Women’s Soccer League title with the Portland Thorns FC and was picked in the NWSL waiver draft by the Washington Spirit.

Soccer Team Soars into Winning Territory

The CU soccer team posted its best start — through the end of September — since 2008. The Buffs won eight of their first 10 games, with both losses to nationally ranked teams. In early October, Colorado won its first Pac-12 home game ever by beating Oregon State 2-1. CU followed up the win over Oregon State by beating Oregon.

Photography by CU Athletics

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Less than a third of the way through the regular season, the CU volleyball team had already eclipsed its victory totals from four of the previous five years. And less than halfway through the schedule, the Buffs had doubled last year’s win total —12 vs. 6, thanks to a strong freshman class.

CU finished nonconference play with a 10-2 record, which tied the second-best mark in program history after a dozen matches. It was a refreshing change of pace after the Buffs went a combined 19-66 in the first three seasons under coach Liz Kritza.

“I know that we have all the confidence in the world and all the belief in each other, and one thing I know to be true about this team is that we don’t fracture,” Kritza says. “With our backs against the wall, this group does not fall apart.”

CU followed up its nonconference success with a 3-0 victory over Utah, which marked the Buffs’ first sweep of an in-conference opponent since 2009.

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Spikers Experience Growing Pains

After going 3-3 in the nonconference season, the CU volleyball team lost eight of its first 11 matches against Big 12 opponents. The Buffs were swept in three sets in six of those conference matches.

“This young team is learning with each set that we play,” coach Liz Kritza says. “It’s not just skills and systems but also how to compete at the highest level in college volleyball. To build this program piece by piece, we cannot look at any challenge as insurmountable.”

Kate Russell, above, leads the team in scoring with 11 points off three goals and five assists.

Club Sports Show Up Nationally

In CU club sports the women’s gold soccer team is the No. 1 seed in the Rocky Mountain region and participated in nationals in November, as did the men’s soccer team. Meanwhile, the club equestrian team swept all three days of an early October regional competition in Fort Lupton, Colo. The mountain bike team placed second in the collegiate nationals in October in Tahoe, Calif.

Many Close Calls for Soccer Team

CU’s soccer team defeated two top-10 opponents in overtime in September — No. 10 UCLA and No. 6 Texas A&M — but went into the homestretch of the regular season with a losing record.

In a span of eight matches beginning Sept. 12, the Buffs either played overtime or one-goal games seven times. And in one midseason stretch they went more than 424 minutes — and four games — without scoring a goal.

Sophomore Laura Tremblay, No. 40 above, was named Big 12 Runner of the Week in October after leading the Buffs with a runner-up finish at the NCAA Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute, Ind.

Bosshard, Tremblay Set Pace in Home Race

CU sophomores Joe Bosshard and Laura Tremblay won their respective races in the Rocky Mountain Shootout Oct. 2 in Boulder. Tremblay was subsequently named Big 12 Runner of the Week.

The Buffs swept the team titles for the 12th straight year, with top CU women finishing 1-2-3-4 and the men placing 1-2-4. Bosshard, who was slowed by injuries the previous two seasons, posted a time of 24:44 for the 8K course, the sixth-best ever on the CU cross country course.

Former CU standout Billy Nelson (Hist’08), a 2008 Olympian, has joined the cross country and track staff as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Nelson will continue to run professionally.

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