QUEENS, N.Y. - The University of Denver volleyball team (4-3) closed the St. John's Classic with a 3-0 win over Manhattan (0-4) and a 3-1 loss to St. John's (8-1) on Saturday afternoon in the Taffner Field House in Queens, N.Y.

"Despite splitting with our opponents today, we played very well," said DU head coach Beth Kuwata. "We were able to sweep our first opponent this morning, giving our freshmen some much needed experience. St. John's is a low-error team and they really made us work for each point. It was a tough match and one that we had chances to win. We are looking forward to returning home and taking what we've learned here into our games this week."

Junior Alyssa Bonelli (Superior, Colo.) led the Pioneers for the day with 24 kills, while freshman Alex Turgeon (Cherry Hills Village, Colo.) added 23. Senior setter Kresson Vreeman (Raymond, Minn.) finished with 41 assists, splitting time with junior setter Julia Cawthra (Lakewood, Colo.) who tallied 24 assists. Defensively, senior libero Kacie Wikierak (Crystal Lake, Ill.) led the team with 31 digs, while freshman Brea Muhle (Columbus, Neb.) tallied eight blocks.

The Pioneers opened the day against Manhattan, turning in scores of 25-16, 25-18 and 25-18. Bonelli led the Pioneers with 15 kills, while Turgeon finished with 12. In Denver's 3-1 (25-18, 9-25, 12-25, 19-25) loss to St. John's, Turgeon led the way with 11 kills, while Vreeman finished with 21 assists.

Denver returns to Colorado, heading north to Greeley to face the Northern Colorado Bears on Tuesday, Sept. 7 for a 7 p.m. match.

- PIONEERS -