DENVER – The University of Denver volleyball team will continue Summit League play this weekend with a pair of home matches against North Dakota on Friday (7 PM MT) and North Dakota State on Sunday (1 PM MT).

After clinching a spot in the Summit League tournament following their defeat of South Dakota State on the road, the Pioneers will look to build on their 17-7 overall record and 9-3 Summit League mark.

As a team, Denver is one of two teams to rank at the top of the Summit League in service aces, averaging 1.69 per set. The Pios are led by junior outside hitter, Lydia Bartalo who continues to shine in multiple areas for the DU offense, leading the team and the Summit League with an average of 0.40 aces per set to go along with a team high 3.13 kills per set. Setter, Ellie Anderson recorded her ninth double-double of the year in the Pioneers loss, locking in a team high 24 assists and 12 digs.

Defensively, Macy Carrabine led the defensive effort for the Pioneers in both matches last weekend, recording 43 total digs over the eight-set weekend, averaging 5.38 digs per set. Denver ranks fifth in the conference with 182 total blocks. The Pios will look to continue their success in front of their home crowd in both matches this weekend as they are an impressive 9-1 in Hamilton Gymnasium so far this year.
 
DENVER vs. NORTH DAKOTA
  Fri., Nov. 7, 2019 • 7:00 PM MT
    Location: Denver, Colo.
    Overall: 2-0 | Last Meeting: Oct  22, 2019

Scouting the Fighting Hawks:  The Fighting Hawks will enter Friday's match with an 11-15 overall record and 3-9 mark in Summit League play. UND is coming off a four-set loss at Purdue Fort Wayne following their third Summit League victory of the year at Western Illinois. As a team UND averages 9.72 assists per set, 10.62 kills per set and ranks second in the Summit League in solo blocks, recording 44 through 26 matches. Senior, Ashley Brueggeman leads the offense averaging 3.15 kills per set while sophomore Darian Chwialkowski leads the way defensively, averaging 3.14 digs per set.

Last Matchup:  The Pios swept the Hawks in their last meeting (25-22, 25-18, 25-22) in Grand Forks earlier this season. Denver posted a .248 attack percentage in the contest while holding UND to a .101 hitting percentage. Bartalo led the Pio offense with 10 kills in the game while Brianna Green recorded six total blocks.


DENVER vs. NORTH DAKOTA STATE
  Sun., Nov. 10, 2019 • 1:00 PM MT
    Location: Denver, Colo.
    Overall: 11-4 | Last Meeting: Oct  13, 2019

Scouting the Bison:  The Bison enter the weekend holding an 11-13 overall record to go along with a .500 standing in Summit League play, sitting at 6-6 in conference action. The Bison will enter Sunday afternoon following a Friday night matchup against South Dakota in Vermillion, S.D. Offensively North Dakota State is led by junior outside hitter, Alexis Bachmeier who averages 2.85 kills per set. Defensively, Kaylee Hanger averages a team high 3.46 digs per set while Bella Lien leads the Bison defense with 88 total blocks on the year. As a team, NDSU ranks second in the Summit League in hitting percentage (.255).

Last Matchup: The two teams last met in Fargo, N.D. earlier this season. Denver took down the Bison in four sets (25-20, 25-20, 16-25, 25-19) while out-hitting the NDSU offense, .248-.203. Denver recorded 12 service aces in the contest to go along with 48 kills.

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.
 
PIONEER MOVEMENT: 
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.   
 
- Our Journey, Our Time –
Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 17 of Denver's NCAA Division I sports.
Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Volleyball on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_Volleyball on Twitter