Denver Splits on Final Day of Black & Gold Challenge

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

BOONE, N.C. – The University of Denver volleyball team split on the final day of the Black & Gold Challenge, hosted by Appalachian State. The Pioneers opened the day with a 3-2 win over East Carolina and then finished the day with a 3-2 loss to Appalachian State. Denver now sits at 6-7 on the season.

“We competed well and made each match a competitive one,” said head coach Jesse Mahoney. “We gave ourselves an opportunity to win each set tonight, but we’re not able to get aggressive swings at crunch time. That being said, I’m proud of the way our team is responding to the challenge we have before us while Bailey is sidelined. We will be better for it during conference play.”

Senior Colleen King (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) finished the day with 27 kills, 40 assists, 26 digs and seven blocks. Freshman Nola Basey (Lyons, Colo.) tallied 26 kills and 22 digs, while fellow freshman Moni Corrujedo (El Paso, Texas) chipped in with 22 kills, 29 digs and four blocks.

Defensive specialist Kate Acker (Waukesha, Wis.) led the way with 46 digs, while back-up setter Tori Moons (Visalia, Calif.) finished with 63 assists.

Senior Brea Muhle (Columbus, Neb.) was named to the All-Tournament Team after finishing with 30 kills and a .444 hitting percentage through the three matches.

In the first match of the day, the Pioneers took the first set 25-13, before dropping the second set 16-25 and the third set 21-25. Denver forced the tie-breaker after taking the fourth set 25-20, eventually sealing the win with a 15-9 win in the closing set.

Against Appalachian State, the Pioneers once again start off strong, taking the first set 25-23. However, the hosts came back to take the second set 27-25 and the third set 25-23. The Pioneers rallied in the fourth set, winning 25-20, but were unable to seal the win as they dropped the final set 15-13.

The Pioneers return home, opening The Summit League play against IUPUI on Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. in Hamilton Gymnasium. Action continues on Sunday, Sept. 29 against Fort Wayne at 12 p.m. Both matches will be available via Pioneer Vision and Live Stats.

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