The University of Denver women’s volleyball team started their 2020-21 season with a split two-game series against Omaha. Denver defeated Omaha 3-0 during their first matchup on Jan. 31 but fell 3-1 when facing the team again on Feb. 1.
Denver kicked off their season with an impressive first set. In the first set of the first match, DU came back from a 21-13 deficit to tie the score at 25-25 before finally winning the set 29-27 with a combined block from graduate student Erica Andrich (Verona, Italy) and sophomore Brianna Green (Cedar Hill, Texas).
Denver then held an advantage for almost the entirety of the second set. Although Omaha cut the lead down to just 2 points, DU managed to keep the advantage and took the second set with another winning block from Andrich. The third set was more back and forth, but the home team fought hard to keep their lead and won the third set 25-18. This resulted in a 3-0 match victory in Denver’s first competition of the season.
Sophomore Lorrin Poulter (Aurora, Colo.) led Denver in this match with 11 kills, while senior Macy Carrabine (Bargersville, Ind.) led the defensive end with 12 digs. Green also had an impressive 6 total blocks, including her set-winning block early in the match.
However, Omaha came back ready to fight in the teams’ second match of the series. The Mavericks took the first set 25-20 with Denver only taking the lead once in the entire set.
DU responded to Omaha’s early victory, taking a 14-7 lead in the second set and never looking back. They soared to a 25-16 set win. The teams continued to battle in the third set, and it consisted of a lot of back-and-forth action. Denver had a 21-18 advantage in the third set before the Mavericks came back to tie the score and, eventually, take the lead and set win.
The fourth set was even tighter with Denver earning a 24-20 lead. Omaha made an impressive comeback and won the final set 27-25. The Mavericks took home the match win, breaking Omaha’s 11-match losing streak to DU.
In the second match against Omaha, senior Tina Boe (Plymouth, Minn.) led Denver with 11 kills and 7 blocks. Carrabine once again led the team on the defensive end with 19 digs.
Denver looks to obtain a winning record as they travel to face South Dakota State on Monday, Feb. 1.
