MONROE, La. - The University of Denver volleyball team (7-10, 2-1 SBC) downed the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks  3-1 (23-25, 25-21, 25-18, 25-10) on the road in Monroe, La., in the ULM Activity Center in its second match of a three-match road trip through the State of Louisiana.

"I think out team did a great job of rebounding from a tough first-set loss," said head coach Beth Kuwata. "We had some uncharacteristic errors that we let get the better of us but were able to regroup and come away with a great win."

Senior Emmy Davidsmeyer (Colorado Springs, Colo.) led the way for the Pioneers with 19 kills and a .455 hitting percentage, while senior Alexis Ninos (Cypress, Texas) added 11 kills and 12 digs for her first double-double of the season.

Playing as a right-side hitter for the first time this season, freshman Lyndi Johnson (Flower Mound, Texas) tallied a career-high nine kills, 12 digs, three assists and three blocks for a great all-around performance for the Pioneers.

"Lyndi played a great match for us," Kuwata said. "We tried something new and asked her to step into a role that she has not played in all season long and she answered the call."

Setter Kresson Vreeman (Raymond, Minn.) finished with 41 assists for her 10th 40+ assist showing of the season, while junior Kacie Wikierak (Crystal Lake, Ill.) tallied 13 digs, two assists and two service aces.

Leading the way for the Warhawks (3-17, 0-5 SBC) was Lacy Bates with 12 kills and Stephanie Wardach with 10 kills, while setter Meghan McCoy finished with 38 assists.

After dropping the first set 25-23, the Pioneers came out determined in the second set to even things up as they maintained a lead from start to finish and sealing the 25-21 win off back-to-back kills from Davidsmeyer.

Denver seemed to continue in its offensive rhythm as it continued to lead the Warhawks in the third set. With the score 13-11 in favor of the Pioneers, Denver's Johnson and Davidsmeyer provided the next two points for a 15-11 advantage, forcing the Warhawks to take a timeout.

Coming out of the break, Denver added three more points to take an 18-11 lead as Davidsmeyer once again provided back-to-back kills and took part in blocking responsibilities with Johnson, all off of strong serves from Ninos.

After both teams exchanged two points apiece, the Warhawks attempts a comeback as it scored three straight points to cut Denver's lead 20-16. However, Johnson provided the next point off a set from Vreeman to take a five-point advantage.

Both teams once again exchanged points before the Pioneers took a 23-17 lead off a ULM miscue. Wikierak then provided the following point off a service ace to give the Pioneers a seven-point lead. However, ULM grabbed the next point off a kill from Wardach to pull within six, but was unable to continue the rally after a Warhawk serving error gave the Pioneers the set and a 2-1 lead in the match.

In the fourth set, Denver continued to lay on the pressure and jumped out to a quick 9-3 lead, forcing a ULM timeout. Off of strong serves from Vreeman, the Pioneers came out of the break scoring four straight points to take a 13-3 lead.

After exchanging points, the Pioneers continued to build their lead as Ninos converted a Clare Maxwell (Western Springs, Ill.) set for a 15-4 lead, forcing ULM to call its final timeout of the set. Coming out of the break, Denver went on a 10-6 to close out the set and take the match 3-1

Denver wraps up its tour through Louisiana with a noon match against the University of Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns on Sunday in the Earl K. Long Gym. Fans can follow along live via Live Stats at www.DenverPioneers.com.

- PIONEERS -