Oct. 28, 2005

Box Score

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Despite jumping out on top with a victory in game one, the University of Denver volleyball team could not finish the job Friday evening at Arkansas-Little Rock, falling 30-22, 13-30, 33-31, 28-30, 10-15 in a five-game showdown. The Pioneers fall to 12-8 overall and 5-3 in the Sun Belt, while UALR improves to 17-8 on the season and 8-2 within conference play.

Lisa Hunter (St. Louis, Mo.) tallied a season-high 27 kills on 47 swings (.404). Defensively, Kristin Halt (St. Charles, Ill.) also had a season-high night, notching 21 digs.

"Just by looking at our stats, it's difficult to believe that as a team, we had an off-night," said head coach Beth Kuwata. "However, inconsistency and our inability to make plays cost us the match. ULAR really used us off the block and we let our frustration get the best of us."

Denver got off to a good start, taking game one 30-22. However, game two displayed a different Pioneer squad that was held to its lowest point total all the season. The Trojans held an 18-8 advantage in kills to DU and only committed three errors.

After the break, the Pioneers mounted a comeback and were able to secure game three, 33-31, but came up just short in game four, 28-30. In the deciding game five, both DU and UALR notched nine kills, however the Pioneers' five errors were the difference maker in the match, as the Trojans only committed one in their game five victory.

This season, five-game situations have not been kind to the Pioneers, who are 0-4 when forced to five games. However, Kuwata is confident the team is still in good shape as the conference tournament draws near.

"When we make that decision to play well, we are a very strong team," Kuwata comments. "North Texas is a key match for us and it's very important that we mount a more consistent attack and make better choices on the court."

The Pioneers take on North Texas Sunday at Noon.