ISLA VISTA, Calif. – The University of Denver volleyball program and UC Santa Barbara played tight first and third sets, but the host Gauchos completed the sweep (25-21, 25-15, 25-23) in the middle match of a three-game weekend at The Thunderdome.

Cassie Davis finished with 11 kills on the day to lead the Pioneers attack. Genevieve Lewis added seven kills and a .333 hitting percentage, while Ava Reynolds and Cadi Boyer both posted four. Denver attackers were helped by a match-high 27 assists from Briley Decker.

Boyer was involved in three of Denver's five blocks and the Pios got 15 digs from Gianna Bartalo to lead them defensively.

How It Happened
SET 1 | The Pioneers fell in a back-and-forth first set, losing 25-21 in a game that featured five lead changes and was tied eight times. Neither team led by more than four points in the frame. 

SET 2 | A 25-15 second-set loss put Denver in a 2-0 hole in the match.UCSB won the opening point and led the entire set. 

SET 3 | The Pioneers fell in the third set 25-23. Both teams exchanged big runs in the frame, but after Denver used a 4-0 run to tie things up late, UCSB grabbed the advantage for good at 23-22 in a set that was tied up five times. 

This article created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Up Next:
Denver will close out UC Santa Barbara's weekend tournament on Sunday afternoon when the Pioneers take on New Mexico State. First serve is set for 12 p.m. MT.

Ticket Information:
Tickets for the 2023 volleyball season are on sale now, and can be purchased here.

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