Sept. 14, 2002

Box Score

DENVER - The University of Denver volleyball team lost its final two games Saturday at its own Pioneer Classic tournament, falling in four games to Southern Mississippi (25-30, 30-28, 30-24, 30-28) and in three games to Montana State (30-27, 30-16, 30-22). With the two losses, Denver drops to 0-7 for the first time since the 1988 season, when the Pioneers lost their first 12 games to open the season. Montana State went 2-1 in the tournament and leaves with an 8-3 overall record. Southern Miss went 1-2 and is 7-5.

In the first match, the Pioneers won the first game 30-25 but were unable to overcome 12 service errors and lost the next three games to Southern Miss. The Pioneers registered a season-best 60 kills on the afternoon but the Golden Eagles were slightly better with 67, and USM's .231 attacking percentage put the Pioneers away.

In the second game, the Pioneers attacked on a percentage of .177 but the taller Bobcats hit .317 in the three game win. Montana State registered 49 kills and just 11 attacking errors. The Bobcats also had 11 blocks.

"Our inconsistency game by game is the tough part right now," head coach Beth Kuwata said. "Our team seems to want to rely on different individuals but who to rely on changes from game to game, match to match and even point to point. No one on our team has been that go-to person before. At some point, some one will have to take on that role and become that player. We made some strides, but we've still got a long ways to go."

In other action of the Pioneer Classic, Fresno State went 3-0 on the weekend by defeating Montana State and Southern Miss. Montana State was 2-1, Southern Miss 1-2, Denver 0-3.

Denver is next in action Friday when they host the Denver Invitational and welcome Minnesota, Maryland and Santa Clara to Hamilton Gymnasium. The Pioneers open the tournament at 7:30 p.m. Friday when they take on Minnesota.

All-Tournament Team
Carrie Hartt (Fresno State) - MVP
Java Johnson (Fresno State)
Aimee Halyk (Montana State)
LeAnn Kinvig (Montana State)
Andrea Bush (Southern Miss)
Andrea Baron (Denver)