DENVER – The University of Denver Volleyball team sent a statement throughout the Summit League on Saturday, rallying from down two sets to knock off South Dakota (12-25, 20-25, 25-13, 25-17, 15-10) in Hamilton in another classic from the two teams. The Pioneers improved to 16-2 (7-1 SL) with the victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ari Winters with a season-high 13 kills.
- Lydia Bartalo picked up her sixth double-double of the year, finishing with 11 kills and 13 digs.
- Tina Boe added nine kills.
Significant Stats
- Bartalo became the 11th player in the program's DI era (98-pres.) to record 1,000 career kills.
- DU snapped a five-match losing streak dating back to 2018 against USD.
- The Pioneers' 16-2 start to the year is their best since 2018.
- DU now has a home record of 105-9 since 2014.
- The Crimson and Gold held South Dakota to less than .100 hitting percentage in the final three sets in the comeback win.
Turning Point
A dominating third-set victory to change momentum of the match.
1st Set
Both teams traded points to start. South Dakota did take a two-point lead at 9-7 before Denver rallied off two straight to tie it up at 9-9. The Coyotes immediately countered with a 4-0 run, forcing the Pioneers to take a timeout. USD pushed their lead to 13 to take the set, 25-12.
2nd Set
South Dakota opened the second set with a 5-3 advantage, but Denver tied it at 8-8 on an ace from
Gianna Bartalo, the second of the match for the Pioneers. The Coyotes, though, had a counter, going on a 5-1 run to lead 13-9 after DU took a timeout. USD continued to separate, taking the set 25-20 after a service error offset a Pioneer run.
3rd Set
The Crimson and Gold changed the momentum of the match with a quick start, using a 6-2 run to open. Denver doubled up South Dakota after an error from the Coyotes, making it 10-5, causing USD to take a timeout. The Pioneers continued to build, going up 16-9. DU put it away after that, extending the lead to double figures at 21-11. Bartalo made history, picking up her 1,000th career kill as the Pioneers took the set, 25-13.
4th Set
Building off the momentum of last set, Denver took command with an 8-3 start, capped off by a big block from
Brianna Green. A wild rally was won by Denver to make it 12-8, causing USD to take a timeout to regroup. The Pioneers continued to go to work though, going up by as many as nine at 20-11 before taking the set, 25-17.
5th Set
The Crimson and Gold opened with conviction, taking a 4-2 lead. South Dakota fought its way back into it, closing to within three late after an error by the at 12-9. But it as all DU after that, completing the comeback victory on a kill from Winters.
Up Next
The Pioneers (16-2, 7-1 SL) heads back on the road for two matches next week. First up, a meeting with St. Thomas on Thursday at 6 p.m. MT.
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