SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—Denver defeated CSU Bakersfield 3-0 to open the San Francisco Invitational Friday night in the season opening match for both schools.

Denver rallied from a 24-21 deficit to defeat the Roadrunners 26-24 in the opening set. The Pioneers three kills and forced two CSUB hitting errors during the final 5-0 spurt to take the 1-0 lead.

The Pioneers hit .500 (13-2-22) while holding the Roadrunners to .185 average (10-5-27) in the second set as Denver defeated CSUB 25-17. Denver held CSUB to under a .200 hitting percentage in the third set as the Pioneers swept the match 25-17.

The Pioneers outhit CSUB .433 (15-2-30) to .186 (14-6-43) in the final set. Denver outhit the Roadrunners .330 to .198 for the match. The Roadrunners struggled with their serve, making 10 errors.

“We made too many errors,” said CSUB director of volleyball Giovana Melo. “We can't expect to defeat many opponents if we play this way.”

The Pioneers' Kayla Principato led all players with 14 kills. She committed only one hitting error in 23 attempts for a .565 average.  Denver setters Monique Domme and Piyusha Boteju combined for 37 assists.

Newcomer Edithza Uriaspaced the Roadrunners with nine kills. Kelsee Sawyer charted eight kills while Carol Grasso added seven kills. Luiza Martins had 17 assists while Sophie Flemion  posted a career high 12 assists.

The tournament continues Saturday when the Roadrunners take on the host, San Francisco at 12:30 p.m. before facing San Diego State at 4:30 p.m.

CSU Bakersfield will open the home portion of the 2015 slate on Oct. 8 when CSUB hosts UTRGV at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com.

~www.GoRunners.com~