The University of Denver volleyball team fell to the Omaha Mavericks on Tuesday at the Hamilton Gym, losing in three straight sets. Heading into the match, the Crimson and Gold held a 7-0 home record this season and an 18-4 all-time advantage to the Mavericks.
The first set of the game began evenly matched between Denver and Omaha. Cheered on by an electric home crowd, senior middle blocker Brianna Green (Cedar Hill, Texas) recorded the first four points for Denver, contributing to her team-high 11 kills for the game. Senior outside hitter Memphis Glasgow (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) scored her first point of the match with a powerful spike uncontrollable by Omaha blockers, helping DU maintain a slim lead over the visitors at 9-7.
For the rest of the first set, both teams kept high pressure on one another as junior libero Ryen Wilkens (Wichita, Kan.) recorded a team-high 9 digs. Several tricky tips by senior middle blocker Cadi Boyer (Georgetown, Texas) and assists by senior setter Lorrin Poulter (Aurora, Colo.) kept the Crimson and Gold just ahead of the Mavericks at 22-18.
A late-set Omaha timeout shattered the Crimson and Gold rhythm, allowing the Mavericks to pick up several points before winning the set 26-24.
While starting the second set with an uncharacteristic service error, the Crimson and Gold managed to hold on for several points. Green took advantage of clear miscommunication between Omaha players, slamming one over to earn the first point for Denver. An ensuing rally forced one visiting player into the stands, allowing Denver to easily pick up another point.
The first ace of the game by graduate student outside hitter Jordan Lockwood (Friendswood, Texas) led to a celebratory heel-click, encouraging the Crimson and Gold to maintain a close point margin until the set’s first timeout. Despite remarkable team work ethic, Denver ultimately trailed the Mavericks by 10 points, ending the set at 25-15.
Throughout the third set, the fatigued Denver attempted to maintain a rigid defensive line. Green and Boyer, who are ranked as top-five in Summit League for blocks per set, kept themselves busy, ending the set with a team-high 4 blocks.
Offensively, Poulter recorded a match-high 27 assists, adding to her current ranking as fifth in Summit League this season with 479 assists. A second ace for Lockwood was followed by a Green block-and-assist to Glasgow who unleashed a powerful spike to settle the score at 14-14.
Despite continued efforts, the Crimson and Gold were plagued by minor yet costly mistakes for the rest of the set, finding slight redemption with an official point review to make it 19-18. With the Mavericks leading 23-19 in the final minutes, a last-ditch effort by graduate student middle blocker Merkle Weidt (Offenburg, Germany) prolonged the match-point for Omaha. After a valiant final rally by Denver, Omaha seized victory following another official play review for the final point.
Following road wins against Kansas City and Oral Roberts, the Crimson and Gold will look to defend home court against North Dakota State and North Dakota on Oct. 13 and 15. The team now sits at 5-2 in conference play and 11-7 overall.
