GRAND FORKS, N.D.  – Behind Summit League Most Valuable Player candidate Lydia Bartalo, the University of Denver Volleyball team capped off its four-match road trip on Saturday, taking down North Dakota in four sets (24-26, 25-10, 25-7, 25-21) at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

Inside the Box Score

• Tina Boe led the attack with a season-best 14 kills.
• Bartalo recorded her fifth double-double of the year, finishing with 11 kills and 16 digs.
• Bartalo also tied a season high with seven aces.

Significant Stats

• The Pioneers have now won the last six meetings against the Fighting Hawks.
• DU tied a season high with 14 aces, third time this year it has posted double figures.
• The Crimson and Gold's 70 digs were second most this season.

Turning Point
A 15-4 run to open the second set, taking control of the match from there.

1st Set
North Dakota started quick, jumping out to 4-1 lead to open the afternoon. Denver righted itself, using a 4-0 run to tie things up at 5-5 after Bartalo recorded her first kill of the afternoon. Both teams continued to keep it close, with the Fighting Hawks taking a one-point advantage at 15-14 into the media timeout. The Pioneers got their first lead of the afternoon after Bartalo picked up her fourth kill to make it 16-15. UND pulled off the surprise start late, scoring the final two points to take the first set, 26-24.

2nd Set
Pioneers set the tone to start the second, scoring the first three points. That was just the start for DU, who built their lead to as large as 11 at 15-4. North Dakota made a little run to close, but Denver never let them get closet than seven the rest of the way, taking the set 25-10 to even the match up at 1-1.

3rd Set
A 5-0 run for the Pioneers put them in command in the opening moments of the third. The Crimson and Gold kept up its dominant play, pushing their advantage to as high as 17 after a Bartalo kill made it 23-6. DU went on to take it 25-7.

4th Set
Both teams kept it tight in the first few points in the fourth, with Denver being able to take a 7-6 lead. The Pioneers then made their move in the set, ripping off the next four points to push the lead to five, forcing the Fighting Hawks to take a timeout, trailing 11-6. UND made a big comeback though, going on a big 7-0 run to tie things up at 15-15. DU answered with its own 3-0 run to take back the lead. Denver put it away after that, winning 25-21.

Up Next
The Pioneers (14-2, 5-1 SL) returns home to play host for two matches in Hamilton Gymnasium next week. First up, a matchup against South Dakota State on Thursday at 7 p.m. MT.

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