The volleyball team played three matches this week, sweeping North Texas at home, trumping Arkansas State 3-1 and falling to Arkansas Little Rock 1-3, both on the road.
Results from this week improve the Pioneers’ record to 21-5 overall and 10-3 in the Sun Belt Conference.
DU started the week last Tuesday, cruising past North Texas in three (25-17, 25-28, 26-24) at Hamilton Gym. After an easy set one, DU continued to look sharp in the second set and closed it out with an ace by junior Emmy Davidsmeyer.
North Texas was not willing to go quietly and put the pressure on DU in set three. The score was close as the rivals exchanged the lead several times all the way to 23-23. However, Denver stayed calm and was able win the match.
Head coach Beth Kuwata was impressed with the team’s progress.
“An improvement upon Sunday, absolutely,” said Kuwata. “There are still some things that we need to clean up a little bit, but I think we finished set one and set two kind of how we wanted to finish it. Set three, a little iffy, but we’re managing to finish and we’re managing to win the close games and that’s important.”
DU traveled to Arkansas State on Friday and triumphed in four sets in a close match (25-23, 15-25, 25-20, 25-23) at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro, Ark.
The Pioneers tied the Redwolves after two but kept their poise and snagged the next two to seize the match. DU was again led by Davidsmeyer, with 18 kills, and sophomore Kacie Wikierak with 18 digs.
“I think we’re in a pretty good place mentally,” Kuwata said. “We’re playing five matches on the road in a very limited time. It’s tough and it’s quick turnaround. We practice, I think, two days in the next two weeks, so its important for us to compete and play hard when we have the opportunity.”
On Sunday, the Pioneers went to Little Rock, Sunday, in an attempt to keep the win streak going but were shut down by the UALR Trojans in another close match (25-23, 15-25, 25-20, 25-23).
DU slowed pace may, in part, be attributed to the loss of injured senior Kerry Porter due to a back injury (return undetermined). However, Kuwata has been pleased with the freshmen contribution to help fill the gap.
“Corinne Richards and Alyssa Bonelli are playing for Kerry Porter. It’s a learning process, and it’s getting used to the speed of the game and getting in there and being able to being able to compete. You know they’re nervous, but they’re begining to show signs of improvement and that’s what we need out of them, especially if Porter’s not ready to come back any time soon.”
DU will tour New Orleans, Lafayette and Monroe, La. this weekend.
DU will return home next weekend to host the final two games of the regular season vs. UALR on November 14 at 7 p.m. and Arkansas State on Nov. 16 at 12 p.m. in Hamilton Gymnasium.
