iLOS ANGELES – The University of Denver Volleyball team came up big when it mattered most, securing a five-set victory over Southern California late Friday night in the Galen Center. The Pioneers took the match 26-24, 15-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-11 to spoil the Trojans season opener in front of their home crowd.

Inside the Box Score

• Lydia Bartalo turned in a gem, recording a double-double with 16 kills and 11 digs.
• Bartalo also notched a career-high seven aces in the win.
• Erica Andrich had a career-best 11 kills for DU.
• Hailey Green continued her impressive debut, racking up a career-high nine kills.
• DU had a season-high 14 aces in the match.

Significant Stats

• DU has now won its last 11 road regular-season matches away from Hamilton.  
• Pioneers picked up their first victory against a Pac-12 opponent since 2007.

Turning Point
The Pioneers breaking a 7-7 tie in the fifth set with an 8-4 run to close out the contest.

1st Set
Denver came out a little sluggish, going down 3-0 to start the match. But the Pioneers responded, scoring four straight to take their first lead of the night. DU then pushed their lead to six after a kill from Lydia Bartalo made it 15-9. The Trojans fought their way back into it with a 3-0 run to cut the Crimson and Gold to lead four at 17-13, forcing them to take a timeout. USC continued to fight back, tying things at 24-24 but Denver closed it off on a Lydia Bartalo kill to take the set, 26-24.

2nd Set
DU started the second set with a strong 7-4 run. Southern California tied it up though with a 3-0 run after an attack error from Lydia Bartalo. The Trojans built a three-point advantage at 12-9, resulting in a DU timeout after a kill from Paige Hammons. USC took control after that, scoring the six of the final eight points to win the set, 25-15.

3rd Set
Southern California put the pressure on early in the set, taking a 4-0 set after an ace from Raquel Lazaro. But Denver came storming back, going on 5-0 run middle of the set to tie things up at 11-11 after a kill from Ari Winters, her first of the match. DU got its first lead of the set after a Tina Boe kill made it 14-13. The Crimson and Gold took control after that, taking the set 25-20.

4th Set
The Trojans used a late run of aces to take the set 25-22, but not before Denver found some momentum to take a 22-21 advantage on a 7-2 run that was capped off by a kill from Andrich.

5th Set
Both teams kept it close early, with neither building more than a one-point edge. USC tied things up at 7-7 with after a service error by the Pioneers. But the Pioneers showed their resolve, going on an 8-4 run to seal the win after a kill from Brianna Green, her fifth of the night.

Up Next
The Pioneers (2-0) wrap up the Trojan Invitational with a match against Campbell (0-1) tomorrow at 6 PM MT.

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