DENVER - The University of Denver volleyball team (2-8) dropped consecutive matches for the second straight day, falling to the Drake Bulldogs 3-2 (25-23, 20-25, 25-22, 22-25, 12-15) and then to the Missouri Tigers 3-0 (23-25, 18-25, 22-25).

"The good part about all of this is that we are learning and getting a lot of positive feedback," said head coach Beth Kuwata. "We realize that we are competitive in each and every one of these matches, and just need to readjust one or two more things before we can make a serious run."

As with the majority of their matches this season, the Pioneers were neck-and-neck with Drake, but were unable to pull out yet another five set victory. DU is now 1-4 in five set matches this season, with its only win coming at home against the Air Force Falcons.

Redshirt-freshman Cassie Ronda (Chandler, Ariz.) led the Pioneers with 25 kills and 22 digs on the day. Two other Pioneers eclipsed 20 kills in their two matches Saturday, as junior Faimie Kingsley (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and sophomore Alex Turgeon (Cherry Hills Village, Colo.) recorded 21 and 24 respectively.

Senior Julia Cawthra (Lakewood, Colo.) led the Pioneers in assists throughout the entire tournament, recording an overall total of 90 in Saturday's two matches. Redshirt-freshman Kate Oakes (Evergreen, Colo.) also had a solid tournament performance as she tallied 16 kills and 20 digs in DU's two matches.

Drake and DU entered Saturday's match with identical records and the similarities ran all the way through the contest. No set was won by more than three points and each team recorded almost identical kills, attack percentages and team attacks.

Ronda and Kingsley led the Pioneers in kills in their first match, with 15 and 14 respectively.  Kingsley recorded five kills alone in a third set victory that saw DU post a .297 hitting percentage. Despite the energy and persistence from the Pioneers, the Bulldogs were able to secure the victory in yet another thrilling, but disappointing five set match for Denver.

Denver attempted to regroup during the night-cap for the tournament finale, but to no avail. Despite out-attacking the Tigers in the first two sets, the Pioneers fell early and failed in their attempt to regain the momentum. Turgeon recorded several great outside kills in the tournament finale, finishing with 11 for the night, to go along with two digs. Ronda continued her solid performance against Missouri, tallying 10 kills and four digs.

UC-Davis began Saturday's action by defeating UTSA, 3-0 and then defeating Missouri later in the day, 3-1, to secure the tournament championship. Later in the day, UTSA avenged their sweep earlier in the day by taking care of Drake in three sets.

UC-Davis' Betsy Sedlak, Allison Whitson and Caroline Mercado all received All-Tournament Honors, as well as Missouri's Lisa Henning and Molly Kreklow. UTSA's Dempsey Thornton and Drake's Whitney Westrum rounded out the Pioneer Classic All-Tournament squad.

The Pioneers have two days to prepare for Northern Colorado, as the Golden Bears travel to Hamilton Gymnasium for a 7 p.m. match with DU on Tuesday night.

Visit DenverPioneers.com for the most comprehensive coverage of Denver volleyball, as well as all of DU's 17 athletic programs.

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