COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The University of Denver volleyball team battled with Utah Tech, and defeated the Blazers in five sets (22-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 15-12) on Friday night.

Ava Reynolds led the Pioneers offense with 17 kills, while Jamia Johnson tacked on 15 and Alicia Thibodeau added 14. Defensively, Madison Winkler made 23 digs.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
SET ONE
Denver and Utah Tech went back and forth to start the match. The Pioneers made a 3-0 run for a 14-11 lead before Utah Tech made a run of their own to take the 15-14 lead. Both teams traded points out of the media timeout before the Blazers ultimately won the set, 25-22.
 
SET TWO
Denver earned a 25-22 second stanza win to even up the match. The Pioneers took a late 5-0 run to extend the lead to 21-16 and held off a late run by the Blazers to earn the win.
 
SET THREE
After an even start to the third set, Utah Tech took a 14-11 lead and won 25-21.
 
SET FOUR
Utah Tech built momentum early with a 7-2 lead to start the set. Denver battled throughout and took a 3-0 and tied the match at 16. The Pioneers overcame the deficit and won the set, 25-22.
 
SET FIVE
The Pioneers and Blazers battled back and forth before Denver took the 12-11 lead late and held off Utah Tech to take the set, 15-12.

Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 18 of Denver's NCAA Division I sports.
 Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Volleyball on Facebook
 Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_Volleyball on Twitter
 Follow @denverpioneers and @duvolleyball on Instagram