Oct. 19, 2005

Box Score

DENVER - Sophomore Kim Muller (Baldwin, Mo.) and junior Lisa Hunter (St. Louis, Mo.) each tallied 10 kills to lead DU as the Pioneer volleyball squad swept Air Force 30-21, 30-26, 30-24 Wednesday evening in Colorado Springs. Denver improves to 11-7 overall with the nonconference match.

"It's important for us to get off to a good start and tonight we did that," head coach Beth Kuwata said. "We play better when we're relaxed and getting in that mindset early is the key to us coming away with a win."

DU came out with a lot of energy in game one, leading by as much as eight points. Muller, Kerry Porter (Western Springs, Ill.) and Hunter each tallied four kills to lead the team.

In game two, the Falcons mounted a comeback and lead for the majority of the match. DU evened the score at 20-20 before taking over the lead and closing game two at 30-26.

It was all DU in game three, as the Pioneers balanced attack kept the Falcons on their heels. Air Force struggled to find an answer for Denver who was firing on all cylinders. With the score at 4-4, DU reeled off 11 straight before Air Force would score again. With a comfortable lead, several Pioneers got the opportunity to show their skills on the court. Freshman Jacqueline Paul (Albuquerque, N.M.) made her debut on the court and posted two kills on five swings.

Despite showing more energy late in the game, it was too little too late as the Pioneers never relinquished the lead and closed the game and match at 30-24.

Playing in front of her home crowd, freshman outside hitter Holly Benson (Colorado Springs, Colo.) received a warm welcome from the crowd. The rookie tallied three kills and eight digs.

Denver returns home and back to conference action Friday in a 7 p.m. match against Florida International.