NORMAN, Okla. Despite winning the second game, Denver volleyball could not hold off Alabama, falling 3-1 (13-30, 30-27, 25-30, 27-30) in the morning session of the Sooner Legends Invitational on Saturday.

“Our blocking and defense is going to have to be really good this year for us to be competitive,” head coach Beth Kuwata said. “Today we did better job defending, but we struggled scoring. This evening we have to do a better job of figuring out how we are going to score.”

Junior Holly Benson (Colorado Springs, Colo.) led the Pioneers with 14 kills and 18 digs. Seniors Kim Muller (Ballwin, Mo.) and Alyta Baris (Belvidere, Ill.) notched 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Freshman Kresson Vreeman (Raymond, Minn.) led DU with 34 assists, while freshman Kacie Wikierak (Crystal Lake, Ill.) paced the team with 32 digs.

DU recorded 13 points in the 30-13 loss in game one but rebounded in the second frame by hitting .277 and tallying 18 kills in the 30-27 win. The Crimson Tide edged past the Pioneers in final two games of the match, 30-25, 30-27.

The Pioneers return to action at the Sooner Legends Invitational Saturday evening against Seton Hall (0-2) at 4 p.m. MT.