DENVER – Following back-to-back sweeps last weekend, the University of Denver volleyball team is set to close Summit League play with a pair of matches against Omaha on Friday (7 PM MT) and Western Illinois on Sunday (11 AM MT).

The Pioneers enter the weekend on a two-game win streak after beginning last weekend with a sweep of North Dakota (25-17, 27-25, 25-15) followed by a sweep of North Dakota State (25-23, 25-19, 25-11).

Junior outside hitter Lydia Bartalo continues to shine offensively after leading the Pioneers with 22 kills last weekend. Bartalo currently ranks at the top of the Summit League averaging 0.41 service aces per set. Junior middle blocker Tina Boe ranks second in the league with an attack percentage of .369. Boe is coming off an impressive eight-block performance in the Pios sweep of North Dakota State on Sunday. Junior setter Ellie Anderson will look to add to her season double-double total as she leads DU averaging 5.27 assists per set while ranking third on the team in digs (213). Defensively, junior libero/defensive specialist Macy Carrabine averages a team-best 3.91 digs per set. 

DENVER vs. OMAHA
    Fri., Nov. 15, 2019 •  7:00 PM MT
    Location: Denver, Colo.
    Overall: 13-1 | Last Meeting: Oct  15, 2019

Scouting Omaha: The Mavericks are coming off a 2-0 weekend with wins against Purdue Fort Wayne (3-0) and Western Illinois (3-1). They currently sit at 16-12 overall and 9-5 in conference action. Anna Blaschko leads the Summit League with a .400 hitting percentage while Isabella Sade averages a team high 3.56 kills per set. Defensively, Claire Mountjoy ranks third in the league with 4.51 digs per set. As a team, the Mavericks average 13.23 kills per set and boast a .234 attack percentage.
 
Last Meeting: The two squads last met on October, 15^th 2019 in Omaha. The Pioneers powered back from a 2-1 deficit to clinch the five-set victory (19-25, 28-16, 24-26, 25-19, 15-10). Bartalo saw her biggest match of the year, notching a career high of 21 kills, while Boe and Amanda Green also posted double-digit kills.

DENVER at WESTERN ILLINOIS
    Sun., Nov. 17, 2019 • 11:00 AM MT
    Location: Macomb, Ill.
    Overall: 13-0 | Last Meeting: Oct  20, 2019

Scouting Western Illinois: WIU enters the weekend with a 6-21 overall record and a 3-11 conference standing. The Leathernecks will arrive in Denver following a match against South Dakota on Friday. Kruize JoJo leads the offensive efforts with an average of 2.66 kills per set. Mackenzie Steckler leads the Summit League with an average of 1.37 blocks per set. As a team, the Leathernecks average 12.61 kills per set to go along with 213 total blocks through 27 matches.

Last Meeting: The Pios swept the Leathernecks in their last meeting on October, 20^th, 2019 (25-14, 25-14, 28-26) in Hamilton Gymnasium. The DU offense out-hit the Leathernecks, .402-.160 with Bartalo leading the way once again for Denver, recording a team-high 12 kills in the win.  

Denver will honor their 2019 senior class prior to their match against Omaha. 

DENVER TICKET OFFICE:
Tickets for volleyball games during the 2019 season are on sale now and can be purchased here.

SHOP PIONEERS:
Get dressed for Game Day! Get your Pioneers gear at ShopPioneers.com, the official online store of University of Denver Athletics.
 
DONATE: 
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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