Oct. 29, 2006

Box Score

DENVER - With five players in double-digit kills the University of Denver volleyball team closed out its home season with a thrilling five game win over Arkansas State, 3-2, Sunday afternoon at Hamilton Gym, 31-29, 28-30, 22-30, 30-28 and 15-13, in Sun Belt Conference action. The Pioneers remain tied with North Texas atop the SBC West Division, as they improved to 17-9 overall and 10-4 in the conference, while ASU fell to 17-13 overall and 8-6 in the SBC. DU has won seven consecutive matches.

"It was a competitive match both ways," head coach Beth Kuwata said. "It was almost identical to the match we played there. We found a way to win the match. It wasn't because of any one person. In the end, we played as group and found a way to win."

Senior Lisa Hunter (St. Louis, Mo.) led the way for Denver with 23 kills, 14 digs and two assists. Junior Kim Muller (Ballwin, Mo.) recorded 16 kills and was part of five blocks. Sophomore Holly Benson (Colorado Springs, Colo.) had 13 kills, 14 digs and was part of five blocks. Sophomore Kerry Porter (Western Springs, Ill.) recorded 10 kills, and was in on seven blocks. Freshman Emmy Davidsmeyer (Colorado Springs, Colo.) also had 10 kills. Sophomore Clare Maxwell (Western Springs, Ill.) recorded a match-high 63 assists, while junior Alyssa Hampton (Parkville, Mo.) posted 14 digs.

The Pioneers trailed early in game one, but tied the game at 8-8 on an attack error by Arkansas State's Mandy Dewalt. DU then went on a 10-0 run to go up 18-8. The Indians would not go away and rallied during a 9-5 run. DU scored the final two points of the game for the 31-29 win, after the game was tied at 29-29. The teams combined for nine total blocks in game one.

In game three, Arkansas State went on a 5-1 run but DU would not be outdone as the Pioneers went a 7-1 spurt. In a game that consisted of 14 ties and seven lead changes, as well as 30 errors, the Indians prevailed after DU staved off three game points to win 30-28.

In game three, Arkansas State posted a match-high .429 game hitting percentage and reeled off a 9-4 scoring run to win 30-22.

DU trailed by as may as six points in the fourth game but after Kuwata called a timeout at 25-21 ASU, the Pioneers had a 9-3 run to win the game, 30-28.

Denver got out to a 7-4 lead in the final game of the match, but ASU rallied to take a 10-7 lead. DU tied the game at 11-11. Back-to-back kills by Hunter propelled the Pioneers to win the game and the match.

Denver returns to action Thursday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m., against Louisiana Monroe in Monroe, La.