DENVER -- The University of Denver volleyball team swept Oral Roberts (25-21, 25-15, 25-14) on Thursday evening for their final game in Hamilton Gymnasium this season.
Ava Reynolds and
Genevieve Lewis were a one-two punch for the Pioneers' offense with 10 and 11 kills respectively.
Alicia Thibodeau and
Izabela Molina each added six.
Madison Winkler led the Pioneers defensively with nine digs,
Ilayda Eren added six and Reynolds and Thibodeau each added five.
Kate Perryman made five blocks and Lewis had three.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1
The opening frame featured several momentum swings. Denver briefly took its first lead since 2-0 when it went ahead 8-7, then used a 7–1 run to build a 16–12 advantage. ORU responded with a surge of its own to reclaim a 19–18 lead. The Pioneers answered with five straight points, sparked by Rawlings at the service line, to move ahead 22–19. Denver closed out the set with steady play, securing a 25–21 victory.
SET 2
Both teams traded long rallies early, but Denver quickly established control with a 7–2 lead. A cross-court kill by Reynolds halted an ORU push and made it 11–6. Despite committing four consecutive service errors, DU maintained a 19–12 advantage. Winkler then delivered three straight points from the service line to extend the margin to 23–13. The Pioneers finished strong, taking the set decisively, 25–15.
SET 3
After falling behind 4–3, Denver responded emphatically, scoring eight straight points with Thibodeau serving to jump ahead 11–4. The Pioneers carried that momentum through the timeout, delivering their eighth ace of the match. ORU managed a brief three-point run, but Denver continued to hold a comfortable double-digit lead as the set progressed. Reynolds closed out the match with a cross-court kill to earn the 25-14 set win.
The Pioneers will close out the regular season on Saturday at 11 a.m. MT in Kansas City.
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