VERMILLION, S.D. – For a third straight time, the University of Denver Volleyball team and South Dakota put on a classic, with the Coyotes winning (25-17, 27-25, 19-25, 25-27, 15-10) at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center on Thursday. The Pioneers split the season series with the Coyotes and fell to 21-4 (12-3 SL) on the season.
Inside the Box Score
- Lydia Bartalo led the way, recording her seventh double-double with 18 kills and 10 digs.
- Tina Boe added 13 kills, her seventh match in double figures this year.
- Hailey Green tied a season high with 14 kills.
- Ari Winters had 13 kills.
Significant Stats
- DU hasn't won at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center since 2018.
- The Pioneers' 21-4 start to the year is their best since 2018.
- Denver is now 15-2 on the road since Jan. 1.
- The Pioneers allowed the opponents to hit over .300 for the first time all year.
Turning Point
A 6-2 run in the fifth set for the Coyotes to build an 11-7 lead.
1st Set
South Dakota opened fast with a 4-1 run to start, but the Pioneers closed to tie it up at 6-6 after an ace from
Ryen Wilkens. Denver kept its strong play going, going up 12-10 after a kill from Boe, her third of the set. The Coyotes took their first timeout of the night after
Lorrin Poulter picked up her second ace in the set to make it 15-12 DU. The Pioneers lead built to as many as six as they went on to win the set, 25-17
2nd Set
Both teams traded points to start the second set, leading to a 5-5 tie. Neither team got up by more than two points for most of the set. With the set tied at 17-17, USD took the next three points, forcing Denver to take a timeout. The Pioneers fought their way back, ripping off five straight points to make it 24-23 South Dakota, causing a timeout from the Coyotes. Denver pulled over the comeback with a solo block from
Hailey Green, taking it 27-25.
3rd Set
South Dakota took a lead at 10-8 to start. The Coyotes withstood a quick push from the Pioneers to go up by three at 15-12, causing the Crimson and Gold to take a timeout. Denver got close a few times but couldn't' tie it up as the Coyotes took the set, 25-19.
4th Set
USD notched the first three points to start the set, before Boe picked up a kill, putting her in double figures. South Dakota pushed its lead to five after back-to-back aces from Lolo Weideman made it 8-3, causing the Pioneers to take a timeout. Denver came back with a 4-0 run midway through the set to make it 17-14 Coyotes after a Boe ace. The Pioneers got a break after a point reversal made it 24-23, then tied it up at 25-25 on a big kill from Boe. But South Dakota was able to get the next two points to keep the match going, 27-25.
5th Set
Teams traded points to open the set, resulting in a 4-4 tie. Pioneers had to call a timeout after an ace from the Coyotes made it 8-6. Lead grew to five after a kill from USD made it 12-7. South Dakota completed the reverse sweep, taking the set 15-10.
Up Next
The Pioneers (21-4, 12-3 SL) continues the road trip, with its final regular-season road match on Saturday at South Dakota State. First serve is set for 11 a.m. MT at Frost Arena.
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