May 23, 2001

Despite losing their best returning attacker, sophomore middle blocker Laurie Young (Fort Collins, Colo. / Fort Collins HS) to a shoulder injury two weeks into the season, the Pioneers rebounded to become the University's first Sun Belt Conference champion when they reeled in the West Division regular-season title with a 12-4 league mark. It is also the first conference title in Denver volleyball history. Overall, the Pioneers finished the 2000 season with a 19-14 record.

Head coach Beth Kuwata received solid play from a pair of all-Sun Belt selections: junior outside hitter Kellie Savage (Arvada, Colo. / Arvada West HS) and junior setter Clarice Golesh (Lakewood, Colo. / Mullen HS), who was a unanimous First Team selection and the only setter named to the team.

Savage pounded 481 kills -- the fourth-highest single-season total in school history -- and Golesh posted season record top-10 marks in assists (1,363 - 3rd), hitting percentage (.323 - 2nd) and block assists (95 - tie 6th).

Golesh also led the team with 16 double-doubles and added two triple-doubles on the year.

Although the team loses senior OH Sarah Kaye (Aurora, Colo. / Smoky Hill HS) to graduation, the Pioneers will return eight players in 2001, all of whom earned experience as starters over the course of the season.