DENVER, COLO- The University of Denver volleyball team returned home to take on Purdue Fort Wayne in a four-set match, locking in their fifth-straight victory 3-1 (25-9, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23) on Friday.

The win stretches the DU win streak to five as they improve to 15-6 overall and 7-2 in Summit League play while the 'Dons fall to 14-10 and 7-3 in Summit League action.

The Pios found themselves on top early taking a 10-4 lead out of the gate. Denver stretched its lead with the help of a 5-0 run and a 6-0 run midway through to put them on top 18-6 while the 'Dons were unable to find an offensive groove as they hit -.033 through the first frame. The Pioneers used a .526 attack percentage to cruise to the first set victory, ending the frame on a 5-1 run and clinching the set 25-9.

Purdue Fort Wayne powered their way to an early 10-4 lead in set two. A flurry of kills from the Denver offense cut the deficit to as little as four at 22-18 late in the set. A kill from Kalea Fobert and a service ace from Tina Boe brought the Pios within one at 24-23, but PFW prevailed in the end, snagging the final point and holding on to set two 25-23.

Neither team was able to pull away early on in set three, exchanging points throughout. Back to back kills from Lydia Bartalo and Ari Winters put the Pios on top at 11-10. DU stretched their lead to as much as seven at 18-11 following a 7-0 run powered by kills from Boe and Bartalo. PFW answered the Pios run by inching their way within four at 22-18 but the Pioneers refused to back down, taking three of the final four points and taking the set 25-19.

Another back-and-forth start was seen in the fourth frame featuring eight deadlocked scores. The 'Dons swayed the momentum in their favor midway through grabbing a 14-11 lead and forcing a Pio timeout. Unable to regain the lead, the Pioneers were silenced following a 4-0 run by the 'Dons as they took a 20-16 lead. The Pios stormed back to tie things at 20 following a kill from Boe served up by Andrea Eddy. Holding a 24-23 lead a block from Boe and Brianna Green sealed the fourth set victory 25-13 and the match 3-1.

Bartalo notched her seventh consecutive double-digit kills game with a team high 16 while Ellie Anderson moved the ball around for the Pioneer offense recording a team high 26 assists. Defensively, Boe led the Crimson and Gold in blocks with three while Amanda Green had a team high 13 digs.

Denver returns to action on Sunday in Hamilton Gymnasium to take on Oral Roberts (2 PM MT).

DENVER TICKET OFFICE:
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