CU Volleyball’s Ana Burilović Aims to Attack Everything
ÌýAna BurilovićÌý(Psych’27) helped lead CU volleyball to the 2025 NCAA Tournament. As she heads into her senior season, she reflects on high expectations, love for her teammates and relentlessly attacking the ball.
What are you most excited about as you head into your senior year?Ìý
This has been on my mind a lot. I lived with two seniors this spring, and I saw what they went through as they figured out how to move on. I want to enjoy every remaining moment on and off the court with my friends and teammates. We have big expectations for this season. We’ll need to stay on the same page and work hard.
What did it mean to you to be named All-America last year?Ìý
I’m honestly still surprised by it. All-America was my goal for the season, but I didn’t share that with anyone because I thought it was too ambitious. I found a new level of love for volleyball and matured so much.
What was it like playing volleyball in your hometown of Split, Croatia?
I started playing for Volleyball Club Split when I was 11 or 12, and I stayed in the club until I went away for college. That experience is rare. The team felt like a family. All of the girls in the club went to the same high school, and most of us played for the national team. The coaches really saw us grow up.
How did you hear about CU, and what drew you to come here?Ìý
An older Croatian player I knew went to UC Berkeley and was coached by our associate head coach,Ìý. She was still in touch with Lee and had so much respect for him. I wanted to play college volleyball in the States — I thought it would be a great way to get my degree and play at a high level. I sent Lee one of my matches, and he loved it. We got on a Zoom call with the coaching staff, and I fell in love with the Colorado program. I pretty much committed on the spot.
What is a favorite memory of yours from playing for the Buffaloes?Ìý
It may sound strange, but sometimes before games we’ll hang out in the locker room, play the video game Just Dance and all dance together. That gives us so much energy and so much hype. We go out and kill it every time.
As a pin attacker, you’ve had as many as 32 kills in a match. How do you avoid blockers and know where to hit the ball?Ìý
There’s so much to think about when attacking. It’s being able to adapt to any ball, being ready for everything and always being aggressive. Every time I go up, I want to score the ball, and I’m going to find a way to do it. I don’t worry if it wasn’t a perfect ball. After each point, I settle myself and make sure I’m ready for the next one.
Can you share an important lesson you’ve learned from head coachÌý?Ìý
He’s taught me to be mindful and anticipate the play. I’m always thinking a couple steps ahead about how to create options and make it easier for our team.
How have you navigated balancing academics and athletics at CU?Ìý
It’s very hard, especially in season. But we have a team culture that’s very proud of our GPAs, so we motivate each other. And our professors are flexible and help keep us on track. The most important thing is finding a time of day when you can relax and reset.
What is something you like to do in your free time?
We have a bunch of puzzles in our house. We’ll take a 1,000-piece puzzle and all do it on the kitchen table together. Spending time with my roommates and talking — that’s what recharges my batteries.
Photos courtesy of CU Athletics