DENVER, Colo. - Coming off the second consecutive win, the first such streak for the program since 2022, Idaho Volleyball had all sorts of momentum going into day two of the Denver Invitational, taking on the host Pioneers on their home court in Hamilton Gymnasium. Unfortunately, a season-high 31 errors doomed the Vandals as they were held to just .093 hitting and dropped a four-set contest in the Mile High City.
Despite the scoreboard, Idaho was in the contest throughout, even getting out to a 5-2 early lead in the first set by way of efforts from Kiana Greer, Sophie Danielson, and Zola Zuccolo. From there, the Pioneers got their footing and evened the tally up, and both sides traded blows to a 13-14 result in favor of the hosts. UD would go on a pair of runs to separate away, ultimately taking the set with a six-point lead.
UI came alive in the second, getting kills from Koen Makaula, Sarah Sullivan, and Greer to win the first five points. Denver would come back to even up the total before the Vandals went on a 6-1 run, forcing the opposition into untimely errors and taking an 18-15 lead. Anika Hudson chipped in a trio of kills in the final points, propelling the Black and Gold to win the set and even up the score.
From there, the Vandals struggled to get into any offensive rhythm, notching 18 combined errors in the final two sets and hitting a negative clip in the third. The Pioneers did just enough to pull away and take the four-set win.
Kiana Greer once again led the way for Idaho with nine kills, while Sarah Sullivan put up eight. Koen Makaula led the way at the net with five total blocks, including one solo, and Csenge Krakoczki drove the offensive engine with 19 assists.Â
UP NEXT
The Vandals will wrap up the Denver Invite on Saturday morning, taking on SIUE at 11:00 AM MST / 10:00 AM PST.
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