VOLL v South Dakota (16 OCT 16) - Highlights
VOLL v South Dakota (16 OCT 16) - Full Game
VOLL v South Dakota (16 OCT 16) - Post Game

BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY

DENVER - Building off a multi-faceted attack and defense, the University of Denver volleyball team handed South Dakota its first loss in Summit League play this afternoon in three sets, 25-23, 25-18 and 25-21.

The Pioneers (14-6, 6-2 SL) swung at a .270 mark on the match while using 10 blocks and 59 digs to hold the Coyotes to a .150 mark, including a sub-.100 percentage in the final two sets.

Ruth Okoye led the attack with 11 kills and one error for a .556 clip and was a brick wall on the net with four block assists, followed by eight kills and four total blocks, one solo and three assisted, from Becca Latham. Kayla Principato and Moni Corrujedo gave DU extra options on the outside as Principato ended with seven kills and three block assists, while Corrujedo added seven kills, seven digs and three total blocks, one solo and two assisted.

Monique Domme and Piyusha Boteju utilized their extra options as Domme tallied 16 assists and seven digs to Boteju's fourth double-double at 19 assists and 11 digs.

Cassidy Rooke was a rock in the back row for the Pioneers, recording 14 digs on the match and got help from Nola Basey who added 14 digs to four kills. Emma Willis was the final defensive piece of the puzzle, added four block assists to her six kill total.

Rachel Schmidt led all players in the match with 16 kills on a .367 clip, while Audrey Reeg added 15 kills and 13 digs. Brittany Jessen seemed to be everywhere on the court, totaling 36 assists, 10 digs, three service aces and two kills in the contest.

Set One:

Denver hit .326 in the opening set with three team blocks, keeping the Coyotes to a .267 clip.

Okoye led the way with five kills and no errors, followed by four kills and no errors from Principato, with three kills coming from both Willis and Latham.

USD held the upper hand early in the stanza with an 11-7 lead, but the Pioneers slowly chipped away and tied the set at 15-15. The teams went back-and-forth from there, forcing four ties with the latest at 19-19 before the Yotes fired off three quick points for a 22-19 lead. Denver was not discouraged though, rallying for three quick points as well to tie the set again at 22-22 and carried the momentum to a 25-23 final.

Set Two:

DU stepped the defense up, keeping South Dakota to a .087 swing percentage in the frame while outpacing the visitors with a .306 clip behind five team blocks.

Okoye, Principato and Latham each posted three kills, with Basey and Corrujedo adding two kills each and Willis recording three block assists.

Denver put together a handful of runs in the set, first a 5-1 outburst for a 7-4 lead early on and a 7-1 run later on for a 23-15 lead and cruised to a 25-18 final.

Set Three:

The Pioneers hit only .182 in the final frame, but kept the defensive pressure up to hold the Coyotes to a .095 clip.

Options were still abundant in the set as Corrujedo led the way with four kills, with Okoye and Willis adding three and Latham and Basey bringing up the rear with two.

South Dakota held the early 7-5 advantage but a 9-2 DU run gave the home team plenty of momentum for the lead at 14-9 midway through. Denver kept a foot on the gas, building a 17-10 lead and had to endure USD breaking four match points to take the sweep at 25-21

Up Next:

The Pioneers head out on the road next week and will face South Dakota State on Friday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. MT.

Tickets are on sale for Denver's home matches and can be found here.

Fans interested in making a donation to the volleyball program can do so by clicking here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.

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