DENVER -- The University of Denver volleyball team overcame an eight-point deficit in the fourth set to defeat the NDSU Bison (25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-22) on Thursday night in Hamilton Gymnasium.

LEADERS
The Pioneers had four attackers in double-digits: Ava Reynolds, Genevieve Lewis, and career highs from Izabela Molina and Kate Perryman. Perryman led the Pioneers with a .714 hitting percentage.
Molina led the way defensively with five blocks.
Maddie Winkler contributed 14 digs and Reynolds earned a double-double with 10.
Izzy Rawlings made 26 assists and Ilayda Eren added 24 helpers. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
SET ONE
Denver started with a quick 4-1 run, but NDSU rallied to cut the lead to one. Both teams traded kills but Denver held a narrow lead to start the set. Back to back errors by the Pioneers allowed the Bison to tie the set up 12-12. DU was able to bounce back and put together offensive momentum to win the set, 25-20.
 
SET TWO
Set two started with a balanced effort from both teams before NDSU capitalized on the Pioneers' mistakes, taking a 16-14 lead. Denver responded with a 4-1 run to tie it at 16 and ultimately take an 18-16 lead. NDSU responded with a run of their own to take a late 20-19 lead. The Pioneers battled through big rallies late in the set to earn the 25-22 victory.
 
SET THREE
Denver struggled to find offensive momentum to start the third set and found themselves in an early 13-10 deficit. The Bison continues to capitalize on opportunities and extended the lead to 19-14. DU scored five straight points to cut the deficit to 23-22 led by an impressive performance from Eren at the service line but dropped the third set, 22-25.
 
SET FOUR
The Bison once again took an early 12-5 lead to start the set, capitalizing on Pioneer errors. Denver put together six straight points with Winkler at the service line to cut the deficit to 13-11. Molina and Johnson put together a big blocking effort to bring the Pioneers within one and Alicia Thibodeau found the gap on the right side to tie the match 15-15. Denver and NDSU traded blows but big swings by Reynolds and Perryman give DU a late 23-21 lead. Emma Mirabelli and Molina make the right side block to secure the 25-22 set victory and the match.

UP NEXT: 
The Pioneers take on North Dakota at 11a.m. on Saturday in Hamilton Gymnasium for senior day.

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