University of Denver
3-1,0-0WCC
SIUE
0-4,0-0OVC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIUE | 25 | 19 | 15 | 22 | 1 |
| Denver | 20 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Pioneers Rally Past Cougars in Four-Set Victory
9/3/2026 10:06:00 PM | Volleyball
DENVER – The University of Denver volleyball program opened its home schedule with a four-set victory over SIUE (20-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-22) on Thursday evening inside the newly renovated Hamilton Gymnasium. Denver improved to 3-1 on the season with the victory.
LEADERS
Jamia Johnson paced the Pioneers with 16 kills, while Quinlan Jones added 13 and Kayla Patel contributed nine. Ilayda Eren led Denver with 28 assists, while Madison Winkler posted a team-high 19 digs. Izabela Molina led the Pioneers with five blocks, while Johnson and Jones each added three.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET ONE
SIUE came out swinging, using a 6-2 run to take an early lead. Denver responded with three kills to pull within one at 10-9, but the Cougars maintained their advantage. The teams traded points before consecutive kills from Molina and Johnson helped Denver stay within striking distance at 13-11. Johnson led the Pioneers with three kills early in the set. SIUE then used a 7-3 run to extend its advantage to 22-15. Denver battled back with a 5-2 run late in the set, but the Cougars ultimately secured the opening set, 25-20.
SET TWO
Once again, SIUE came out strong, taking an early 5-3 lead behind multiple kills. Denver quickly found its rhythm, using a 10-3 run to take a 14-9 advantage. Jones led the charge during the run with four kills, forcing an SIUE timeout. The stoppage did little to slow the Pioneers, as the Cougars scored two straight points before Denver responded with four consecutive kills, including a kill from Winkler. SIUE continued to battle with a 4-1 run of its own, but Denver maintained a 20-16 lead. The Pioneers closed out the set with a 5-3 run to even the match with a 25-19 victory.
SET THREE
Denver took control early in the third set, with Johnson opening the set with back-to-back kills to give the Pioneers a 2-1 lead. Johnson and Jones then led Denver's offense during an 11-2 run that extended the advantage to 15-5. The Pioneers continued to apply pressure, using a 4-1 run highlighted by another Johnson kill to maintain a 10-point lead at 18-8. SIUE struggled to find an answer as Denver continued to control the set, closing out the set, 25-15.
SET FOUR
SIUE came out strong in the fourth set, using a 4-0 run to take a 7-3 lead. Denver responded with kills from Johnson, Romi Chlebecek and Patel to pull within one at 7-6. The Cougars regained a two-point advantage before Chlebeck added another kill and SIUE committed an attack error to tie the set at 9-9. Chlebecek then gave Denver its first lead of the set at 10-9, and the Pioneers continued to build momentum, taking a 16-12 advantage behind a service ace from Eren, a kill from Patel and an SIUE attack error. SIUE battled back to tie the set at 19-19, but Denver responded with kills from Jones and Johnson to regain the lead. The Pioneers held off the Cougars late, with Johnson recording the final kill to secure the 25-22 set victory and the match, 3-1.
NOTES
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Denver improved to 3-1 on the season with the victory.
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The Pioneers recorded 57 kills and hit .265 as a team.
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Denver finished the match with 51 assists, 59 digs, three service aces and eight blocks.
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Johnson led the Pioneers with 16 kills, while Jones added 13.
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Eren recorded a team-high 28 assists, while Winkler led Denver with 19 digs.
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Denver closed the match with a 14-4 advantage in kills in the fourth set.
UP NEXT
Denver will continue play at the Denver Invitational tomorrow, taking on Idaho at 6 p.m. MT inside Hamilton Gymnasium.
Ticket Information:
Tickets for the 2026 volleyball season are on sale now, and can be purchased here.
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