Box Score DENVER -- Senior outside hitter Sarah Kaye (Aurora, Colo. / Smoky Hill HS) led all attackers with 20 kills to lead the University of Denver volleyball team to a hard-fought 3-0 (16-14, 16-14, 15-13) sweep of New Mexico State at Hamilton Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon. The win is Denver's third in a row, improves the Pioneers to 10-8 overall (4-2 SBC) and moves the Pioneers into a tie for second in the Sun Belt West Division with the Aggies (7-10, 4-2 SBC).
New Mexico State had ample opportunity to win the first two games, holding leads of 14-12 in game one and 14-8 in game two. The Pioneers staved off a total of 11 game points in those games, successfully earning side-outs and points each time before winning both games, 16-14. Denver jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the final game before the Aggies pulled to within 10-9. It appeared roles would be reversed at the end, as the Pioneers had match point at 14-11, but New Mexico State scored a pair of points before Amanda Olivas' attack went wide on the final point.
Junior OH Kellie Savage (Arvada, Colo. / Arvada West HS) had another stellar match for the Pioneers, recording 18 kills and nine digs. She is now averaging 4.09 kills and 2.59 digs per game in conference play. Sophomore MB Lulu Sewell (Gardnerville, Nev. / Douglas HS) had 11 digs, and junior setter Clarice Golesh (Lakewood, Colo. / Mullen HS) had 46 assists and four blocks.
"We had a good match this afternoon. When you talk about significant conference wins, this is definitely one of them," said head coach Beth Kuwata. "I was happy with our ability to come back from being down and win those first two games. The odds against doing that down 14-8 are slim. New Mexico State is similar to us in their youth and inexperience, and they made some errors that relieved some of the pressure for us to constantly need to side out."
Kristin Webster led the Aggies with 18 kills, while Angela Lobendahn added 13 kills and 14 digs.
Denver steps out of conference play this Tuesday, Oct. 10 for a tough match against 3rd-ranked Colorado State. First serve is 7 p.m. at Moby Arena in Fort Collins.
