The women’s volleyball team stretched its winning streak Saturday to four games after seizing the Denver Invitational crown, the Pioneers’ second tournament title this season at Hamilton Gymnasium.
The Pioneers continued to improve on their best start in program history by pushing the season record to 10-2 over the weekend, while only dropping two sets.
DU beat the University of Nevada Las Vegas 3-1 (24-26, 25-17, 28-26, 25-16). DU then went on to sweep Georgia State (25-10, 25-19, 25-21).
Junior outside hitter Alexis Ninos, supplemented the 3-0 win over Georgia State, Saturday, with nine kills and 12 digs.
In the final game against Southern Methodist, the Pioneers dropped the first set 18-25. In the second, DU took an early lead, then capitalized on a serving error by SMU and clinched the set 25-20. DU took the lead again in the second, but allowed SMU to come back to 24-24. Needing to win by two, the Pioneers pulled together and won the second set 26-24 with back-to-back kills by Holly Benson who also delivered the final kill in a close third set, 25-20.
“SMU had similar team offense, spread out,” said Ninos. “Our goal was 20 plus wins and we are already 10-2 so half way there… we want to make it to the conference tournament and then the NCAA finals.”
“It was pretty huge, pretty exciting,” said Ninos about the tournament. “We had not won a tournament since I had been here and now we have already one two this season.”
Once again leading the charge was Benson, Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week, with a season-high 54 digs and seven blocks in three matches. Benson was also especially dangerous on the offensive side of the ball as she dished up 34 kills and six assists.
“Holly had some critical saves and the team was really awesome,” Ninos said. “Our game plan has been discipline and balance. We do what we do well…discipline and balance, stay simple and basic.”
Additional impact players included freshman Jordan Raines and senior Kerry Porter, who contributed 11 kills each, as well as junior Emmy Davidsmeyer, who supplied 10 kills.
Davidsmeyer received her second tournament MVP honors and Clare Maxwell and Porter received All-Tournament Team honors. In addition, Kacie Wikierak was voted Best Libero of the Invitational.
DU hosts the Northern Colorado Bears tonight in Hamilton Gymnasium at 7 p.m.
“Northern Colorado is going to be a big match. They are a pretty scrappy team,” said Ninos. “We will continue hitting hard. This year we want to win good to gain momentum going into conference play over the weekend.”
