OMAHA – The University of Denver Volleyball team battled before seeing its nine-match winning streak fall on Saturday, losing in four sets to Omaha (22-25, 24-26, 25-19, 22-25) at Baxter Arena. The loss handed the Pioneers (12-2, 3-1 SL) their first defeat in Summit League play this season.

Inside the Box Score

• Erica Andrich had a career-high 18 kills in the loss.
• Ari Winters had a season-best 10 kills with a .391 hitting percentage.
• Pioneers recorded 11 total blocks, a season high.
• Gianna Bartalo recorded a career-high 25 digs.

Significant Stats

• The Pioneers had its nine-match road winning streak come to a close.
• DU's 19-set winning streak fell in the opening set.
• The Crimson and Gold's 24 errors tied the second highest total it has had this year.

Turning Point
A 4-3 run from the Mavericks in the fourth set to get the victory.

1st Set
Denver overcame a 4-1 deficit to start, going on an 8-3 run to take a 9-7 advantage, forcing the Mavericks to take a timeout. Omaha did counter out of the timeout, scoring three straight to retake the lead at 10-9 on a kill by Mariah Buss. Both teams kept it close, with neither team getting more than a two-point lead midway through the set. Omaha finished up the set by getting the last three points to take it 25-22.

2nd Set
Both teams made runs to start the second set, but Mavs were able to get a two-point edge at 6-4 after a kill from Shayla McCormick. Omaha got a three-point lead of the set at 12-9. Denver fought its way back, tying it at 15-15 on a kill from Brianna Green. A wild finish broke out after Denver tied it at 24 after scoring three straight, but the Mavs picked up the next two to take the set, 26-24.

3rd Set
Pioneers got the start it was looking for, ripping off the first five points to make the Mavericks take a timeout. Omaha got hot though, taking the lead at 9-8 after Lydia Bartalo was blocked by Sami Clarkson and Rylee Marshall on the attack. The Crimson and Gold got their lead back to two at 16-14 on Andrich's 12th kill, tying a career high. Denver kept itself alive after a block from Tina Boe gave the Pioneers the set, 25-19.

4th Set
Neither team found separation in the opening portion of the fourth set, resulting in 4-4 tie. Omaha got the next two points before Denver came alive, using a 5-0 run to take a three-point lead and force the Mavericks into a timeout to regroup. Omaha came out of the timeout swinging, going on a 6-1 run to take a two-point advantage at 12-10. The Pioneers got the next two points to tie it up at 12-12 after a kill from Boe. But it was late push from the Mavericks that got them the 25-22 set victory.  

Up Next
The Pioneers (12-2, 3-1 SL) stays on the road for two matches in the state of North Dakota next week. First up, a match with North Dakota State on Thursday. First serve is set for 6 p.m. MT.

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