On Friday, Sept. 17, DU defeated the University of Incarnate Word Cardinals (UIW) in volleyball at the Hamilton gym, winning the first three sets for a sweep of the match, 25-22, 25-16 and 25-23.
In the decently crowded stadium, filled with both DU students and family members alike, the energy was palpable. While it is still relatively early in the season, it is clear that the team has established a good system and solid movement, evident by their 9-1 record, winning their last six games in a row.
The first set of the game began evenly matched between the Crimson and Gold and Cardinals. Junior Brianna Green (Cedar Hills, Texas) and freshman Hailey Green (Loveland, Ohio), both middle blockers, had several good blocks throughout the sets. Brianna Green had a solid hit scoring point number seven for the Crimson and Gold.
While serving, junior setter Lorrin Poulter (Aurora, CO) hit an ace to start a five-point streak, the longest for either team. As the set progressed, outside hitter and graduate student Erica Andrich (Vallada Agordina, Italy) slammed one over the net, helping DU pull away 11-3 early in the set.
UIW took two timeouts throughout the set, allowing DU a minute to rest, but not breaking the pattern of dominance. Despite this, the Cardinals had several good plays as well. Middle blocker Jacqueline Arrington for the Cardinals had a terrific block early in the game, and outside hitter Allison Palmi had a strong hit, making the score 20-9.
The Crimson and Gold let a few points go later in the set, but won the first set 25-13 nevertheless, ending with a good hit by Brianna Green.
The second set began with a UIW serve, which DU received for a breakpoint. Number 13 on both teams, grad student Tina Boe (Plymouth, MN) for DU and Macy Sumrall for UIW, hit serves out back to back early in the set.
Despite the offensive hiccups, each team also had their triumphs, leading to an even closer game early in this set. Outside hitter and junior Ari Winters (Ankeny, Iowa) had a beautiful tip, making the score 5-4 in DU’s favor; and libero Gianna Bartalo (Colorado Springs, CO) had an amazing dig that led to a close set with DU up 7-5.
It was clear that fatigue began to set in for both teams this set, as the ball flew everywhere, ending up in the stands and even almost over the upper barrier to the balcony in the gym. DU began pulling away towards the end of the set to a 23-15 lead, with Hailey Green subtly tipping the ball over the net.
Brianna Green and Andrich ended the set with a solid block, with Denver taking the set 25-16.
After a long intermission, in which more DU students showed up to make a cheering section, the third set began. Though DU scored the first point of the set, the Cardinals came out fighting to stay in the game, leading 4-1 early to the surprise and dismay of an increasingly rowdy student section.
This was probably the most exciting set, as it was close and the officials had to go over a replay of one of the points to determine if the ball was in or out. Unfortunately, it was a UIW point, making it 3-6.
The honking by the student supporters seemed to affect the Cardinals’ service, as players like Macy Sumrall of UIW conceded uncontested points, making the score 4-7.
The score became tied several times at 10-10 and 12-12 and continued to be close throughout as DU finally went up 17-16 later in the set. Brianna Green had a successful tip and then a solid hit back to back, helping DU maintain momentum.
With two points left for DU to win, UIW took a timeout to regroup. Eventually, the Crimson and Gold came out on top after one long rally and good digs by sophomore Ryen Wilkens (Wichita, Kansas) and Bartalo, and then a defensive error on the Cardinals side that made the final score of the third set 25-21, contributing to DU’s straight-set victory.
The DU volleyball team has several more home games coming up, including Sept. 23 vs. Western Illinois and Sept. 25 vs. St. Thomas, both in Hamilton gym.
