DENVER - The University of Denver volleyball team (6-5) defeated both Gonzaga (2-8) and Jacksonville State (4-6) on the second day of the Pioneer Classic in Hamilton Gymnasium. The Pioneers opened the day with a 3-1 (25-22, 12-25, 27-25, 25-17) win over the Bulldogs and closed with a 3-1 (25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 25-19) win over the Gamecocks to improve to 6-5 on the season.

"It was a fantastic effort from all of us today," said head coach Beth Kuwata. "We are finally showing signs of what it takes to be resilient, to fight for every point and to compete throughout the entire match. Today was by far the best overall team performance of the season and I'm really excited with how everyone is responding."

Freshman Brea Muhle (Columbus, Neb.) led the Pioneers for the day with 24 kills and 10 blocks, while junior Alyssa Bonelli (Superior, Colo.) finished with 21 kills and eight blocks.  Senior setter Kresson Vreeman (Raymond, Minn.) turned in an impressive all-around performance with 17 kills, 40 assists, 15 digs and eight blocks, while freshman Alex Turgeon (Cherry Hills Village, Colo.) tallied 19 kills and 16 digs.

Also finishing with a strong performance was freshman Colleen King (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) who had 17 kills and five blocks. Senior libero Kacie Wikierak (Crystal Lake, Ill.) led the way defensively with 36 digs.

In the Pioneers first match of the day, Muhle led the way with 14 kills, while Turgeon and Vreeman added 12 kills each to go along with Bonelli's 10. Vreeman also finished with 24 assists, 11 digs and four blocks, while Wikierak led the team with 19 digs.

After splitting with the first two sets with the Bulls dogs, 25-22 and 12-25, the Pioneers turned in an inspired performance in the third set winning 27-25 led by Turgeon's six kills and Wikierak's 11 digs. Denver closed out the match with a 25-17 fourth-set win as Turgeon led the way with four kills.

The action was once again intense in the Pioneers final match of the day as Denver and Jacksonville State split the first two sets 25-21, 23-25. Coming out of the intermission, the Pioneers regained the momentum off offensive performances from King and Bonelli to take the set 25-20. King continued to impress in the fourth set, leading the Pioneers with four kills and a 42.9 hitting percentage to help Denver win the set 25-19.

Against the Gamecocks, Bonelli led the Pioneers with 11 kills, while King and Muhle each contributed 10 kills. Splitting time with Vreeman, setter Julia Cawthra (Lakewood, Colo.) finished with 18 assists, while Wikierak tallied 17 digs. Muhle led the Pioneers' blocking efforts at the net with six total blocks.

In other Pioneer Classic matches, Notre Dame (6-2) defeated Jacksonville State 3-1 (18-25, 25-15, 25-11, 25-19), while Texas A&M swept Gonzaga (25-22, 25-23, 27-25).

The Pioneer Classic will conclude tomorrow with a match between Jacksonville State and Gonzaga at 11 a.m. and the Pioneers' final match against Notre Dame at 1 p.m. Both matches will be available via Live Stats and Denver's match can be watched live on Pioneer Vision.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for the 2010 Pioneer Classic are available for just $8 for adults through the DU Box Office, located on the West Concourse of the Rtichice Center. Children under the age of three and DU students with a valid Pioneer Card are free. Tickets can also be purchased through www.TicketMaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Groups of 20 or more can purchase group tickets for a discounted price by contacting Adam Sizemore at adam.sizemore@du.edu or (303) 871-2389.

- PIONEERS -