BROOKINGS, S.D. – The University of Denver volleyball team took down South Dakota State (25-15, 25-20, 24-26, 25-17) Friday night to secure their ninth Summit League victory of the season.

The Pioneers locked in their seventh-straight win to improve their overall record to 17-6 and 9-2 in Summit League play. Dropping their fifth straight, the jackrabbits fall to 5-18 overall and 2-9 in Summit League action.

A strong offensive showing was the difference maker early on for the Pioneers. Kills from Kalea Fobert and Tina Boe to go along with a pair of service aces from Lydia Bartalo led DU on a 6-0 run to open the match.  The jackrabbits answered with a 3-0 run to cut the deficit to five at 8-3 and continued to chip away at the Denver lead to pull themselves within one at 10-9. DU ended the threat, scoring five-straight to go up 15-9. Refusing to let the jackrabbits climb back, a kill from Bartalo locked in the first set victory, 25-15.

A pair of service aces from Amanda Green put the Pios on top 6-4 to open the second frame, propelling the Pios to a 6-0 run and 12-6 advantage. The jackrabbits found a way to on a 5-1 run to force a Denver timeout midway through but the Pios held on down the stretch taking four of the final five points to take the second set, 25-20.

With their backs against the wall, South Dakota State came out strong in the third set, taking a 10-6 lead out of the gate. DU used a 4-0 run late to go on top 20-18 but the jackrabbits fought back, regaining their lead at 24-23 before securing the final two points to take the set, 26-24.

The Pios used a pair of kills from A. Green to jump out to a 5-1 lead in the fourth frame. Doing their best to stay alive, SDSU went on a 3-0 run midway through to cut the Pio lead to 13-10 but Denver answered with a 3-0 run of their own to extend their lead to 19-12 late in the set. Kills from Bartalo and Fobert ended things at 25-17, and locked in the 3-1 victory.

Denver out-hit the jackrabbits, .298-.151 while Boe, A.Green and Bartalo all recorded double-digit kills in the contest. A. Green had a team high 13 kills to go along with 12 digs, to secure one of two DU double-doubles. Bartalo also recorded a double-double recording 11 kills to go along with 12 digs. Boe slammed 11 kills in the match to become the second Pioneer this season to reach the 500 career kill milestone.

Denver's setters had a combined 53 assists through four sets, with Ellie Anderson leading the way serving up 26 assists. Macy Carrabine had a team high 22 digs while Boe, Fobert and Brianna Green added three blocks each.

DU will be back in action Sunday as they head to Vermillion, S.D. to face South Dakota in a Summit League showdown (11 AM MT).

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