VERMILLION, S.D. — Defending Summit League champion Denver downed South Dakota 25-23, 25-19, 25-23 on Friday inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
 
The Pioneers, moving to 15-1 on the season and 4-0 in Summit League play, were paced by Becca Latham and Lydia Bartalo with 12 kills apiece.
 
A couple of close endings in set one and set three both went Denver's way as the Coyotes fell at home for the first time this season while also suffering their first league setback in the process.
 
A trio of seniors led South Dakota's offensive efforts in the loss as Taylor Wilson, Hayley Dotseth and Kristina Susak each tallied 11 kills.
 
Madison Jurgens contributed 31 assists, seven kills and 12 digs while defensively Anne Rasmussen had 17 digs and Dotseth 10.
 
South Dakota, now 10-7, will travel to Brookings on Sunday to face arch-rival South Dakota State for a 2 p.m. match.

It was just the fourth loss inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center for the Coyotes.