Sept. 29, 2006

Box Score

DENVER - The University of Denver volleyball team lost its Sun Belt Conference homeopener to Middle Tennessee, 3-1, Friday evening at Hamilton Gym, 29-31, 34-32, 13-30 and 17-30. The Pioneers committed 47 errors in the match and fell to 8-6 overall and 1-2 in the SBC, while the Blue Raiders improve to 12-4 and 3-0.

Sophomore Clare Maxwell (Western Springs, Ill.) recorded 47 assists and three of DU's middle blockers posted double-digit kills. Sophomore Holly Benson (Colorado Springs, Colo.) led the team with 14, junior Kim Muller (Ballwin, Mo.) had 13 and senior Lisa Hunter (St. Louis, Mo.) added 12. Denver hit .103 in the match, while Middle Tennessee hit .340.

In the first game the Pioneers were up 15-10, but the Blue Raiders edged DU 31-29. Denver out-blocked Middle Tennessee four to two in the game. An ace by Hunter gave Denver the win in game two, 34-32, while Benson recorded nine kills. In games three and four the Pioneers got behind early and could not recover, losing 13-30 and 17-30.

The loss was just the third SBC homeopener loss in eight seasons under head coach Beth Kuwata.

DU returns to action Sunday, Oct. 1, at 1 p.m. against the Western Kentucky Lady Toppers in Hamilton Gym.