BOX SCORES
DENVER, Colo. - The University of South Alabama women's volleyball team fought hard Friday night but fell 3-1 to Sun Belt Conference West Division leader Denver at Hamilton Gym.
USA (7-16, 1-9 SBC) will face second place North Texas on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Denton, Texas. The Mean Green was victorious on Friday, sweeping Troy 3-0 in Denton.
The Pioneers (13-9, 6-4 SBC) used a 7-2 spurt in game one to break a 14-all tie and never looked back in the opener. The Jags were able to cut the deficit to as little as three (23-20) on a Via Filipe kill, but got no closer as Denver went on to take a 1-0 match lead with a 30-20 victory.
In the second contest, Denver led by as many as six at 17-11 before South Alabama started to mount a rally. USA reeled off 12 of the next 17 points to take a 23-21 lead in game two. The contest hovered at around the two-point margin for the remainder of the game until Filipe gave the Lady Jags a 36-34 victory with another put away.
Denver, holding a one point lead in the third contest (6-5), used an 8-1 spurt to take control and never allowed the Jags to get any closer, as the Pioneers led double digits most of the way before taking the game 30-15.
In the finale, South Alabama was able to tie the contest up on two occasions, but was never able to get over the hump and take the lead, as the Pioneers held of the Lady Jags with a 30-24 victory in game four to take the match, 3-1.
Filipe, returning to the lineup after missing time with an injury, led all players offensively with 23 kills on the night. The Jag junior also tied fellow teammate Colleen Downey for a match-high in digs with 13. USA's Whitney Sanders also finished the evening with double figure kills with 13.
Denver used a balanced attack to offensively on the night to gain the win, placing four players in double digit kills; Lisa Hunter (19), Kim Muller (16), Kerry Porter (13) and Holly Benson (12).
NOTE: The South Alabama/Spring Hill match scheduled for Tuesday (Nov. 8) at 7 p.m. at Spring Hill has been moved to a home match for the Jaguars and will be played at Jag Gym.
