DENVER - The University of Denver volleyball team (2-6) dropped both of its matches on the first day of the Pioneer Classic, played in the Hamilton Gymnasium. Despite dominating the second set and going point-for-point with the University of Texas-San Antonio (UTSA), the Pioneers fell to the RoadRunners in four sets (22-25, 25-14, 20- 25, 25-27).  In DU's second match, the University of California-Davis (UC-Davis) was able to defeat the Pioneers in five sets (25-20, 23-25, 15-25, 18-25, 9-15).

"We fought hard especially in the second match of the day, but unfortunately we are still playing not to lose," said head coach Beth Kuwata. "We have to look to win rather than to avoid losing and hopefully we can turn it around in another long day of volleyball tomorrow."

In two-matches worth of action today, redshirt-freshman Cassie Ronda(Chandler, Ariz.) led all Pioneers in kills (23) and was a huge presence on the outside for Denver. Ronda also tallied five blocks to go along with eight digs. Junior Faimie Kingsley (Brooklyn, N.Y.) recorded 14 kills to go along with 12 blocks, while redshirt freshman  Kate Oakes(Evergreen, Colo.) tallied 18 kills and 15 digs in the two matches played.

Freshman Kate Acker (Waukesha, Wis.) and fellow seniors Alyssa Bonelli (Superior, Colo.) and Julia Cawthra (Lakewood, Colo.) also performed well for the Pioneers. Acker had 10 kills and 26 digs, while Cawthra added eight kills and a team-high 80 assists. Bonelli chipped in with 18 kills and 10 blocks.

In their first match of the day, the Pioneers got off to fast starts in each of the first two sets. DU controlled the second set from the onset and recorded their largest margin of victory this season. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, the RoadRunners received strong performances from their outside hitters and were able to close out the match 3-1.

Acker led the Pioneers in kills (8) and digs (19) in the Pioneers' first match, while Ronda matched Acker's total of eight and was also able to provide four digs for DU. Cawthra tallied 35 assists to go along with eight digs and three kills.

After sweeping Drake earlier in the day, UC-Davis came into the final match of the day with some momentum. Whatever energy the Aggies may have brought with them into Friday night, the Pioneers made sure it disappeared early on. Using the energy from a large student crowd, the Pioneers took the first set 25-20.

After splitting the first four sets, the two squads went to a fifth set that saw the Aggies take a 4-1 lead early on, and remain in the lead for the remainder of the match. The Pioneers had a strong showing late in the set, led by Bonelli's 12 kills, but were unable to close out the Aggies, losing in a thrilling fifth set.

Tomorrow afternoon, Denver returns to the court to take on the Drake Bulldogs at 1 p.m. followed by a match with the Missouri Tigers at 7:30 p.m. to close out the Pioneer Classic. Visit DenverPioneers.com for the most comprehensive coverage of the Denver volleyball program, as well as all of DU's 17 athletic programs.

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