Oct. 13, 2002

Box Score

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The University of Denver volleyball team hit on just a .163 hitting percentage and lost 3-0 (22-30, 24-30, 22-30) at New Mexico State Sunday afternoon in Sun Belt Conference play. With their fourth straight loss, Denver falls to 2-13 overall, 1-4 in Sun Belt play. New Mexico State improves to 15-4, 6-0.

The Pioneers were without the services of sophomore setter Emilee Gihring (Idaho Falls, Idaho), who was injured in Friday's loss at Arkansas State. In her place, freshman Ashly Ball (Chula Vista, Calif.) led the Pioneers with 27 assists as Denver had just 37 kills on the afternoon. The Pioneers made 20 errors for a .163 attacking percentage. New Mexico State was much better offensively, recording 46 kills to just 15 attack errors for a .316 attacking percentage.

"Offensively we played a little better, at least we were more consistent," head coach Beth Kuwata said. "I think if we could play how we did today for the rest of the season I think we'd be in good shape. Ashly (Ball) for her first game did a really good job for us so that part was good. We actually played a pretty good defensive game today. We had more digs and more blocks and we served tough, once again its the hitting percentage that did us in."

Junior Jen Karas (Granby, Colo.) paced the Pioneers with 10 kills and was the only Denver player to record double digits in kills. Trinia Cuseo led New Mexico State with 16 kills.

Denver is next in action Friday, Oct. 18 when they host Middle Tennessee in Hamilton Gymnasium at 7 p.m.

...PIONEERS...