Box Score JONESBORO, Ark. After having its eight-match win streak ended a night earlier, the University of Denver volleyball squad rebounded to drop Arkansas State, 3-1 (30-16, 27-30, 30-18, 30-24) on Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center in Sun Belt Conference action.
“It was a struggle today,” head coach Beth Kuwata said. “In game four, when we had to go for the win we responded by blocking better and playing better defense. It’s nice to wrap up this road trip with a 7-1 record. I’m happy with the way we finished and the way we played on the road.”
The Pioneers (17-10, 11-3 SBC) trailed at 1-0 in the first game and took the lead at 2-1 on an ASU (9-17, 5-9 SBC) error and never looked back. Senior Kim Muller (Ballwin, Mo.) recorded back-to-back kills to give DU a 19-8 lead. The Indians pulled to within seven but the Pioneers finished the match on a 10-3 run for the 30-16 win. Denver held Arkansas State to a .000 hitting percentage, forcing it into 14 errors in the game.
The second frame of the game was much closer then the first, with the two teams combining for nine ties and exchanging the lead five different times. DU led by as many as three in the game, but ASU took the lead at 18-17 on a Pioneer error. Denver got within one at 20-19 on an ASU error but the Pioneers would fall, 30-27.
Denver committed just three attacking errors in the third game, hitting .469 in the game to roll on the 30-18 win. Denver tied the game at 3-3 and rolled the rest of the way.
DU led early in the fourth game but ASU tied it up at 11-11 and took a lead at 12-11. The Pioneers answered with a 6-1 run to take a 17-13 lead. Denver went on to win the game 30-24. DU held ASU to .047 hitting percentage in the frame.
Muller led the Pioneers with 21 kills in the game, while junior Holly Benson (Colorado Springs, Colo.) had 15 kills and 19 digs. Muller led the Pioneers with six blocks. Freshman Kacie Wikierak (Crystal Lake, Ill.) had a match-high 24 digs.
Denver returns home on Tuesday, Oct. 30 to face No. 18 Colorado State at 7 p.m. in Hamilton Gymnasium.
