DENVER, Colo. - The University of Denver volleyball team defeated Texas State 3-1 (25-20, 25-17, 25-27, 25-20) Thursday evening at Hamilton Gymnasium to stay unbeaten at home on this season. The victory moved Denver to 9-9 on the season, and 3-5 in Western Athletic Conference play, while the Bobcats fall to 9-10, 4-4 in WAC competition.

"I felt like when the ball was in play, when we served in and when we could pass we were really efficient offensively and defensively," said DU head coach Jesse Mahoney. "I thought that we were really good in every phase tonight. We play so much better at home. I think we have great fan support. Our other (DU) teams get dressed up and go crazy."

Senior Faimie Kingsley (Brooklyn, N.Y.) tallied a game-high 18 kills, while junior Colleen King (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) finished with 15. Freshman Michele Swope (Orlando, Fla.) ended the match with 13 kills and a match-best 18 digs after missing the last three matches with an injury.

Sophomore Kate Acker (Waukesha, Wis.) tallied 10 digs and sophomore Frances Carroll (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) had nine. Sophomore Bailey Karst (Aurora, Colo.) tallied 28 assists, while Carroll added 20.

Amari Deardorff and Ashlee Hilbun led the Bobcats with 12 kills apiece. Sierra Smith, Laura Whalen and Hilbun paced Texas State with nine digs each.

The first set was tight early, but the Pioneers went on a 9-2 run to stretch their advantage to 12-5. DU never looked back from there, taking the first set 25-20.

The teams also went back and forth to start the second set, but eight straight Pioneer points opened up a 17-9 DU lead. The Crimson and Gold held on from there to take the frame 25-17 and enter the break with a 2-0 lead.

The third set was hard fought from start to finish. The Pioneers scored four straight points to take a 20-16 advantage, but the Bobcats responded to take the frame 27-25 and force a fourth set.

DU opened the fourth set with a 4-0 run, but Texas State rebounded to tie the frame at six. The Pioneers led 21-19 late in the set, and Denver scored four of the match's final five points to take the frame 25-20 and the match 3-1.

The Pioneers will return to action Saturday at 1 p.m. MT when they host Texas-San Antonio at Hamilton Gymnasium.

Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 17 of DU's NCAA Division I sports.

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