DENVER— The University of Denver women's volleyball team is set to host its first game in Hamilton Gymnasium as part of the Denver Classic tournament. On Friday, Aug. 31 the Pioneers will face UC Santa Barbara at 6 p.m. MT, and on Saturday, Sep. 1 they will continue competition against McNeese State at 12 p.m. and Sacramento State at 7 p.m.

Tournament Update:
Denver defeated UCSB 3-2 on Friday, Aug. 31. Recap.
Denver defeated McNeese State 3-0 on Saturday, Sept. 1. Recap. 
Denver took home the tournament title by defeating Sacramento State 3-2 on Saturday, Sept. 1. Recap. 

Denver is fresh off a 2-1 weekend from the Utah Volleyball Classic, where it took down Saint Mary's in four sets and UC Irvine in five. The Pioneers went to five sets against No. 19 Utah in their final match of the tournament, but ultimately fell 3-2.

Junior Katarina Marinkovic dominated for Denver, tallying 42 kills, 12 blocks, 27 digs, five aces and four assists in three matches. Sophomore Lydia Bartalo also posted 37 kills, seven blocks and six aces over the course of the weekend.

Similar to DU, UC Santa Barbara enters the Denver Classic with a 2-1 record. On Aug. 24-25 the Gauchos competed in the Miami Tournament, falling to Cincinnati (3-2) and defeating Miami (Ohio) (3-2) and Saint Louis (3-0). UCSB is averaging 12.54 kills per set, 12 assist per set and 1.54 blocks per set. The Gauchos are led by junior outside hitter Lindsey Ruddins, who tallied 27 kills in the match against Miami and is averaging 4.62 kills per set.

The McNeese State Cowgirls are 0-3 for the 2018 season, having lost three consecutive games in the Samford Tournament to Samford (3-0), Kennesaw State (3-0), and Loyola University Chicago (3-1). McNeese State is led by Ebony Lewis (24 kills), Caitlin Sharrock (five aces) and Angela McGownd (49 digs).

Sacramento State comes to Colorado with a 1-3 mark, having lost to CSUN and Arizona in the Hornet Invitational (Aug. 24) and to Santa Clara on Aug. 28. The Hornets are averaging 10.81 kills per set, 9.75 assists per set, and 2.59 blocks per set. Led by head coach Ruben Volta, SSU was selected to finish third out of 11 teams in the Big Sky Conference Preseason Coaches' poll. The Hornets return 10 student-athletes and four starters, finishing the 2017 season with a 26-10 record and capturing the Big Sky regular-season title.
 
Denver Classic Tournament Schedule:
Friday, Aug. 31:
McNeese State vs. Sacramento State – 3 p.m.
Denver vs. UC Santa Barbara – 6 p.m.

Saturday, Sep. 1:
Sacramento State vs. UC Santa Barbara – 10 a.m.
Denver vs. McNeese State – 12 p.m.
UC Santa Barbara vs. McNeese State – 4 p.m.
Denver vs. Sacramento State – 7 p.m.