ST. PAUL – The University of Denver Volleyball team opened the back half of Summit League play in style on Thursday, taking out St. Thomas in straight sets (25-18, 25-14, 25-13). The Pioneers picked up the season sweep against the Tommies and improved to 17-2 (8-1 SL) on the year.

Inside the Box Score

• Lydia Bartalo led the way with 10 kills on a .389 hitting percentage.
• Bartalo also added three aces, keeping her lead as tops in the nation in aces per set this season.
• Erica Andrich added 10 kills on a .474 hitting percentage, her ninth match in double figures this year.
• Gianna Bartalo had 22 digs, her third match in 2021 with at least 20+.

Significant Stats

• DU took the season series against the Tommies, not dropping a set in the process.
• The Pioneers' 17-2 start to the year is their best since 2018.
• DU now has a road record of 13-1 in its last 14 matches.
• The Crimson and Gold are now 16-0 when holding teams to under a .200 hitting percentage this year.

Turning Point
A big run to break open an early tie in the first set and put Denver up 15-7.

1st Set
Denver used a big run early broke open a even start for both teams in the set, allowing the Pioneers to take a 15-8 advantage midway through. The Crimson and Gold got their big lead at 19-11 after Andrich picked up her fifth kill. DU cruised from there, taking the set 25-18 after a block by Brianna Green and Hailey Green.

2nd Set
A 4-1 quick start for Denver set the tone in the set, highlighted by Bartalo picking up her second ace of the evening. The Pioneers pushed the lead to 11-6, forcing a timeout from St. Thomas. The Tommies responded out of the break, using a 4-1 run to close to withing two at 12-10, making DU take a timeout. It was all Denver after that, powered by a 7-1 run out of the timeout that featured multiple blocks from the Pioneers to go up 19-11. DU went on to take the set 25-14.

3rd Set
In the third, Denver got the start it was looking for, racing out to a 5-0 lead. The Pioneers doubled up the Tommies at 12-6 after Bartalo made a big kill on a long rally. The Crimson and Gold cruised from there, picking up multiple blocks en route to a 25-13 set victory.

Up Next
The Pioneers (17-2, 8-1 SL) continues the road trip, going east for a meeting with Western Illinois on Saturday. First serve is set for 10 a.m. in Western Hall.

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