University of Denver
5-1,0-0WCC
Marist
1-5,0-0Metro
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marist | 23 | 21 | 25 | 23 | 1 |
| Denver | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 3 |
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Pioneers Win Denver Invitational With Four-Set Victory Over Marist
9/5/2026 4:07:00 PM | Volleyball
DENVER – The University of Denver volleyball team defeated Marist in four sets, 25-23, 25-21, 22-25, 25-23, on Saturday inside Hamilton Gymnasium. With the victory, the Pioneers went 3-0 at the Denver Invitational and improved to 5-1 on the season.
LEADERS
Jamia Johnson led the Pioneers with 17 kills while hitting .353, while Alicia Thibodeau added 13 kills with a .286 hitting percentage. Elise Hart contributed eight kills while hitting .333. Ilayda Eren recorded 27 assists, while Lily Van Hal added 24. Madison Winkler led Denver with 29 digs.
HIGHLIGHTS
Denver recorded 61 kills while hitting .215 as a team and held Marist to a .179 hitting percentage. The Pioneers also finished with 58 assists, 87 digs, four service aces and seven blocks.
Denver won all three matches at the Denver Invitational, finishing the weekend with a 3-0 record and improving to 5-1 on the season.
STRONGEST SET
Denver saved its strongest offensive performance for the fourth set, hitting .255 with 20 kills. The Pioneers turned an 11-10 deficit into a 15-11 lead with a five-point run, highlighted by three kills from Johnson. After Marist battled back to tie the set at 21-21, Denver responded with three straight points, including a service ace from Patel and a kill from Thibodeau, before closing out the match, 25-23.
NOTES
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Denver improved to 5-1 on the season.
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The Pioneers finished 3-0 at the Denver Invitational.
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Denver recorded 61 kills, 58 assists, 87 digs, four service aces and seven blocks.
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Denver hit .215 as a team while Marist hit .179.
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Johnson led Denver with 17 kills while hitting .353.
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Thibodeau added 13 kills while hitting .286.
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Winkler recorded 29 digs.
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Denver's highest hitting percentage came in the fourth set (.255), when the Pioneers recorded 20 kills.
UP NEXT
The Pioneers will have a few days off before hitting the road for three matches in Texas, beginning with a matchup at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Ticket Information:
Tickets for the 2026 volleyball season are on sale now, and can be purchased here.
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