The Pioneer women’s volleyball team opened Sun Belt Conference play on Friday night with a 3-0 (30-15, 30-20, 30-10) victory over Arkansas State and wrapped up the weekend on Sunday afternoon with a sweep (30-17, 30-12, 30-20) over UALR.
“The most important thing was on both days we controlled the tempo of the match and played our kind of volleyball,” said Head Coach Beth Kuwata after the team’s win against conference rival University of Arkansas Little Rock. “I’m most proud of our effort this weekend and our ability to stay focused. Not just from point to point, but game to game and match to match.”
Denver (8-7, 2-0 SBC) kept strong and comfortable point leads over both teams this weekend and maintained the control of each game. During Friday’s games against Arkansas State there was only one lead change in the entire match during the third game. In Sunday afternoon’s game the Pioneers led in all categories including recording in 57 kills, 51 assists, 55 digs and 10 team blocks.
There are three seniors and two freshmen on the volleyball team this year.
In Sunday’s match, senior Kim Muller (Ballwin, Mo.) led all players with 14 kills and senior Alyssa Hampton (Parkville, Mo.) was right behind her with 13 kills. Starting freshman Kacie Wikierak had 23 digs.
The Pioneers biggest expectation for the season is “to win the Sun Belt Conference tournament,” said Muller. “We have home court advantage this year because DU is hosting the tournament.”
There were numerous strengths the team exhibited over the weekend but one that stood out was the Pioneers’ passing. It was exceptional.
“Keeping the team steady and consistent while limiting errors,” said Muller on something the Pioneers can work on. “Holly Benson has been passing really well.”
DU starts its SBC road play next weekend, beginning with Middle Tennessee on Friday at 6 p.m. and then Western Kentucky on Saturday also at 6 p.m.
“These should both be tough competitors because Middle Tennessee has been getting top 25 votes and Western Kentucky has been a strong team for the last five years,” said Kuwata.
