Nov. 15, 2003

Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. - Using a season-high .511 attack percentage, the University of Denver volleyball team wrapped up its regular season play with a convincing, 3-0 sweep (30-24, 30-16, 30-22) over South Alabama Saturday night at Jaguar Gym. With the win the Pioneers clinched the No. 5 seed in next week's Hardee's Sun Belt Conference Championships and will play fourth-seed Arkansas-Little Rock on Thursday. Denver finishes the season at 18-13, 9-6 in SBC play. South Alabama drops to 4-23, 1-14.

Denver made quick work of the Jaguars, ending the match in just over an hour. Senior Andrea Baron (West Vancouver, B.C.) led Denver with 16 kills and freshman Lisa Hunter (St. Louis, Mo.) added 12 to lead Denver.

Denver had a .538 attack percentage in the first game, a .593 percentage in the second game and closed out the match with a .385 hitting game. Denver's defense allowed just 41 Jaguar kills and a .198 hitting percentage. The Pioneers also held a 10-1 block advantage.

"We had a pretty great night offensively tonight," head coach Beth Kuwata said. "We set out on this trip looking to gain a little momentum going into the conference tournament and I think we did that. For us to win two conference matches on the road was big, we haven't done that all season long. I was pleased with our entire team effort tonight."

The Pioneers clinched the fifth-seed in the SBC Tournament next week and will take on UALR on Thursday at E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky.