Grand Forks, N.D. – For the seventh time this season and second time this weekend, the Denver Pioneers volleyball team finished the match in three sets with a sweep of the North Dakota Fighting Hawks on Saturday at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. Denver won by set scores of 25-20, 25-22 and 25-21.

Turning Point
The Fighting Hawks pushed the Pioneers late in the second set, but Denver twice held onto two-point leads to secure a 2-0 lead in the match.

1st Set
The Pioneers opened the set on a 6-1 run, but North Dakota scored three straight points to draw within two at 10-8. Denver pulled away again midway through the set to win seven of eight points on kills and lead 15-9. The Fighting Hawks nearly matched the Pioneers point-for-point from there until Denver's eventual five-point win.

2nd Set
Tied 10-10, Denver had four straight kills to make it 14-10. North Dakota called a timeout trailing 15-11. The Pioneers did not surrender their ground despite North Dakota drawing within two points at 20-18 and 22-20. Two Fighting Hawk service errors in the final points gave Denver the set.

3rd Set
Bolstered by a four-point run early in the set, Denver led 11-6 at the first timeout and hovered around that five-point lead for the remainder of the set.

Inside the Box Score
-Denver picked up its seventh sweep and eighth straight win of the season
-Ryen Wilkens made her NCAA debut
 
Significant Stats
-Lydia Bartalo had 12 kills and a .458 hitting percentage
-Lorrin Poulter had 11 kills and a .550 hitting percentage
-Tina Boe had five total blocks
-Ellie Anderson had 19 assists

UP NEXT: Denver hosts South Dakota for a two-game series on March 12-13 in Hamilton Gymnasium.
 
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