Box Score VERMILLION – Riding a seven game win streak entering Sunday's match, the University of Denver volleyball team fell short in a four set battle with South Dakota (21-25, 30-28, 25-15, 25-16) on Sunday afternoon.

The loss marks the Pioneers seventh loss of the season, setting them up at 17-7 overall and 9-3 in Summit League action. The Coyotes secured their 23^rd win of the year, improving them to 23-1 overall and 12-0 in Summit League play.

Denver's senior outside hitter Amanda Green, opened the match for the Pios by slamming a pair of kills en route to an early 5-1 Pioneer lead. South Dakota battled back to deadlock the set at nine following a 5-1 run of their own midway through.The Crimson and Gold used the help of a 3-0 run to elevate their lead to 19-15 before forcing a Coyote timeout. South Dakota came out of the huddle scoring two straight points to cut the deficit to 21-19 but the Pios prevailed in the end with the help of a pair of kills from Andrea Eddy and Kalea Fobert, leading Denver to a first set victory at 25-21.

The teams exchanged points early on in the second frame until a kill from Katie Mahoney gave the Pios a 7-6 lead. A pair of runs from both squads deadlocked the set at 11 before Denver was able to pull away at 17-14. The Coyotes refused to back down, charging back late in the set to knot things at 22 before fending off multiple Pio set points in order to take the final three points and the second set victory, 30-28.

Tied at one set a piece, USD continued their momentum into the third frame, jumping out to a quick 11-4 lead. With their offense working on all cylinders the Coyotes were able to pull off a 4-0 run to stretch their lead to 10 at 15-5. A late comeback effort by Denver featuring a 3-0 run to cut the USD lead to 19-11 wasn't enough to propel the Pios to a comeback as they fell 25-15.

Much of the same was seen in the final set with South Dakota using an early 4-0 run to jump out to an 11-6 lead but a series of kills resulting in a 5-0 stretch by DU knotted things at 14. South Dakota then used a 7-0 tear to take a 21-15 lead, stunting the Pioneer offense and lifting themselves to a 25-16 victory.

South Dakota out-hit the Pio offense .329-.254, recording 63 kills. Leading Denver offensively was Lydia Bartalo, slamming 14 kills through four sets. Junior setter, Ellie Anderson locked in her ninth double-double of the season, recording a team high 24 assists to go along with 12 digs while Macy Carrabine totaled a team high 21 digs in the contest.

Denver will return home as they prep to host North Dakota in Hamilton Gymnasium on Friday (7 PM MT).
 

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