DENVER – The Denver Pioneers volleyball team saw its eight-match winning streak come to an end with a 3-1 loss to the South Dakota Coyotes on Friday at Hamilton Gymnasium.
*Game two of the series between Denver and South Dakota has been deemed a no-contest ahead of the winter storm scheduled to hit the Denver metro area this weekend*
1st Set
South Dakota scored the first six points of the match to compile a 9-2 lead before the Pioneers responded with a 9-3 run to draw within one point of the Coyotes at 12-11. Denver positioned itself within a point of South Dakota thrice more in the set, but the Coyotes scored five straight points to seal the set win.
2nd Set
After an even start to the set, the Pioneers went on an 8-2 run aided by three Coyote attack errors to turn a 13-11 deficit into a 19-15 advantage. The script flipped at that point. Denver lost its four-point lead at 21-21 and South Dakota won four of the last five points to take a 2-0 lead in the match. The Pioneers committed four attack errors after last holding their four-point lead.
3rd Set
South Dakota's mistakes paved the way for a 7-3 Denver lead to start the set. When the Coyotes pulled within three points, the Pioneers went on an eight-point run to 16-5. South Dakota made a push to put itself back in what could have been a match-clinching set, but ultimately could not overcome the Pioneers' early advantage.
4th Set
South Dakota made a 7-1 run from 2-2 to 8-3 early in the set. When Denver closed the gap to three points at 10-8, the Coyotes went on a five-point run to create more distance between the Summit League foes. A four-point margin was as close as the Pioneers came to South Dakota.
Significant Stats
-Denver logged nine service aces
-
Erica Andrich,
Lydia Bartalo and
Tina Boe each had nine kills
-
Ellie Anderson and
Lorrin Poulter combined for 43 assists with 22 and 21, respectively
-
Macy Carrabine led the Pioneers with 17 digs
UP NEXT: Denver hosts North Dakota State on Friday, March 19 at 6 p.m. MT
CORONAVIRUS UPDATES: For the latest University of Denver updates on the coronavirus, click here.
DONATE: Fans interested in making a donation to the Pioneers Athletic Fund can do so by clicking here.
Your gift will transform the lives of our student-athletes by giving them the first-class resources needed to excel in the classroom, in the classroom and beyond. Thank you for Building Pioneers for Life!
-5280 TOGETHER-
Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Volleyball on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_Volleyball on Twitter
Follow @denverpioneers and @duvolleyball on Instagram
