HONOLULU- The University of Denver volleyball team fell to 20^th ranked Hawai'i 3-1 in the final match of the Rainbow Wahine Classic on Sunday.

The 'Bows handed Denver their first loss of the season dropping them to a 5-1 overall record while Hawai'i improved to 6-0 on the year.

Both squads showed offensive strengths in the opening set, exchanging points back-and-forth to open the match. Seeing the score deadlocked five different times, UH was eventually able to break through as they stretched their lead to as large as six at 16-10. Denver's kill-leader in the match, Lydia Bartalo did her best to spark a DU comeback, recording consecutive kills down the stretch but the Pios were unable to capitalize, falling short 25-16. Bartalo finished the night with a team-high eleven kills to go along with her seven digs.

The Pios fought hard in the opening points of set two, when a kill from Kalea Fobert tied things at four after falling behind early. Exchanging leads and fighting through 16 ties, DU used a 4-0 run midway through to propel them to a set two victory, 25-21.

UH jumped out to an early lead in the third set, followed by a 4-2 run by the Pioneer offense that was enough to pull them within two as they trailed 6-4. The Bows' were able to hold off the Pio attack, extending their lead to as much as ten where the Crimson and Gold found themselves in the biggest hole of the match at 21-11. Unable to recover from the deficit, Denver dropped the set 25-15.

Using a defensive attack led by Brianna Green who ended the night with a team-high six blocks, the Crimson and Gold came out strong in the fourth set to take an early lead.
Hawai'i battled back with an 8-0 run to shift the momentum back to their side and grab a 10-5 advantage over the Pios. Despite late efforts, the gap was too large to overcome as Denver fell in the final set 25-18.

Other category leaders for the Pioneers were junior setter Ellie Anderson who recorded a team-high 14 assists, while junior teammate Macy Carrabine cashed in a team-high nine digs on the night.

Following the match, Bartalo and junior middle blocker Tina Boe were named to the 2019 Heineken Rainbow Wahine Invitational All-Tournament Team. Bartalo totaled 28 kills, 20 digs and five blocks over the three-day affair while Boe added 21 kills and five blocks through three matches. Hawai'i junior middle blocker, Skyler Williams was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Denver will return to action on Friday, September 13^th as they kick off the Ameritas Player Challenge in Lincoln, Nebraska against LMU (9 a.m. MT).

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