OMAHA - After trading sets through the first four, the University of Denver volleyball team rallied to take the final two sets in order to clinch its match over Omaha 3-2 (19-25, 28-26, 24-26, 25-19, 15-10) on Tuesday.

The win improves the Pios to a 12-6 overall record and a 4-2 standing in Summit League play. The Mavericks fall to 10-11 overall and 3-4 in conference action.

Omaha came out strong in the opening frame gong on a 5-0 run early on en-route to 12-4 lead. The Pios battled back with two consecutive kills from Lydia Bartalo to climb within three at 21-18 but it wouldn't be enough to silence the Mavericks as they ran away with the set, 25-19. Bartalo saw five kills in the opening frame, leading the Pios in kills and earning herself a new career high of 21 kills on the night.

It was the Pios turn to jump out early in the second set as they used a 4-0 run early to take a 7-2 lead, but Omaha stormed back going on a 4-0 tear of their own to pull themselves within one at 9-8. Back and forth the rest of the way, the two squads found the score deadlocked 11 times. After battling off a series of set points it was an Ellie Anderson service ace that sealed the deal for the Crimson and Gold, 28-26.

Much like the previous set, neither team was able to pull away early, seeing the score tied at 10 midway through. Denver used a 4-0 run to heighten their lead to 15-13 but Omaha prevailed in the end, taking four of the final five points of the set to clinch things at 26-24.

With work to be done, the Pioneers didn't back down in set four. Holding a 9-4 advantage, the Pios were tested when Omaha scored three-straight to pull themselves within two at 9-7 but it was a late 4-0 run from DU that stretched their lead to 19-12. Amanda Green took matters into her own hands, ending the frame with a kill to lead her team into a fifth set, taking the fourth 25-19.

With the momentum in favor of the Pioneers, they refused to take their foot off the pedal in the fifth set. With the score deadlocked at five, Denver went on a 4-1 run to take a 9-6 lead, but it was three kills down the stretch from Green that were enough to lock in the fifth set victory, 15-10 and the match 3-2.  
 
As a team, Denver hit .268 compared to the Mavericks attack percentage of .253. Aside from Bartalo's career high, the junior locked in her fourth double-double of the year, walking away with a team high 16 digs. The Pios offense had two others record double-digit kill performances with in Green (14)  and Tina Boe (13). Anderson led the way with 25 assists while Boe also recorded a team high, three blocks.

DU will return home to Denver and their home court to face Western Illinois in a Sunday afternoon contest (12 PM MT).  
 
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