University of Denver
12-12,5-7WCC
San Diego
14-8,9-3WCC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Denver | 21 | 22 | 18 | 0 |
11/7/2026 2:20:00 PM | Volleyball
DENVER – The University of Denver volleyball team fell to San Diego in three sets on Saturday afternoon at Hamilton Gymnasium, as the Toreros earned a 25-21, 25-22, 25-18 victory in West Coast Conference play – the team's seventh straight win.
The Pioneers kept the opening set competitive, trading points with San Diego before the Toreros created separation late. Denver pulled within 22-20, but San Diego scored three of the next four points to take the opening set, 25-21.
Denver responded with its strongest stretch of the match in the second set, which featured 17 ties and nine lead changes. The Pioneers held a 20-19 advantage late in the frame, but San Diego closed on a 6-2 run to claim the set, 25-22, and take a 2-0 match lead.
The Toreros carried that momentum into the third set, hitting .469 with 17 kills and just two errors to close out the match, 25-18.
Sophomore outside hitter Kayla Patel paced Denver with 15 kills on 28 attempts, hitting .429, while senior outside hitter Jamia Johnson added 10 kills. Alicia Thibodeau contributed eight kills and 10 digs, while Patel and libero Madison Winkler each recorded a team-high 12 digs.
Freshman setter Lily Van Hal recorded 33 assists, directing a Denver offense that finished with 41 kills and a .228 hitting percentage. The Pioneers added four block assists, with sophomore middle blocker Izabela Molina recording two.
Denver moves to 12-12 overall and 5-7 in WCC play. The Pioneers return to the court Thursday, Nov. 12, traveling to Los Angeles to face LMU at 7 p.m. MT.
NOTES AND LEADERS
PATEL PACES THE OFFENSE: Junior outside hitter Kayla Patel led Denver with 15 kills and added 12 digs against San Diego, recording her third double-double of the season.
VAN HAL RUNS THE OFFENSE: Freshman setter Lily Van Hal recorded a team-high 33 assists, while also contributing three kills and six digs.
SECOND SET BATTLE: The second set featured 17 ties and nine lead changes, the most competitive frame of the match. Denver held a 20-19 lead before San Diego finished with a 6-2 run.
TEAM TOTALS: Denver recorded 41 kills, 47 digs and four block assists, finishing with a .228 hitting percentage. San Diego totaled 50 kills, 52 digs and nine team blocks while hitting .393.
UP NEXT: Denver heads to California for its next WCC matchup, taking on LMU on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. MT.
HAMILTON CROWD: Denver welcomed 777 fans to Hamilton Gymnasium for Saturday's matchup with San Diego.
Ticket Information:
Tickets for the 2026 volleyball season are on sale now, and can be purchased here.
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
