The SDSU volleyball team faced off against Summit League leader Denver University in Frost Arena on Friday, falling three sets to one.

Denver entered Friday with a record of 14-3 (3-0). The Jacks came into the match with a record of 6-13 (0-3).

The Jackrabbits came up short losing to the Pioneers three sets to one. The Jacks dropped the first two sets 25-19 and 25-15. In the second set the Pioneers had a attack percentage of .600.

“Unfortunately we came out just a little bit flat,” said head coach Phil McDaniel “We didn’t have good focus on defense those first couple sets.”

SDSU came back from the intermission and won the third set 25-21, but then lost the fourth set 25-16.

“We came out and played with more passion and took care of the ball (after the intermission),” McDaniel said. “Unfortunately we fell back into some old habits and dropped the match.”

Junior Carley Gerving led the Jackrabbits in kills with 10.

“Her confidence is high and she was making good quality contact,” McDaniel said. “We were able to get her and Emily [Veldman] the ball and they produced for us. We certainly hope to see more of that from the both of them.”

Veldman finished with nine kills. Sophomore Brooke Leetham came away with her third double-double of the season with 23 assists and 13 digs. Junior Alanna Pengilly had a match-high of 21 digs.

The Jacks won the blocking battle 9.0 to 4.5. The Jacks’ attack percentage was .220 while the Pioneers had an attack percentage of .322.

Freshman right side hitter Ashley Beaner and Sophomore outside hitter Mikayla Hora were both sidelined due to injuries this week.

“They’re both day to day,” McDaniel said. “We should know more on their status by Wednesday or Thursday.”

Having two players out on injury means there are some holes that need to be filled for the Jacks.

“We’re filling the holes that they have left which is kind of a challenge,” McDaniel said “It’s a great opportunity for those girls who haven’t gotten on the court to show what you got and you gotta be ready to go.”

The Jacks have yet to win a conference game this season and are 0-4, but McDaniel seems optimistic about the rest of the year.

“It’s really about having the confidence when we step out on the court that we can do it and we can’t let that fade away from our thought,” McDaniel said. “If we stay confident and stay together as a team the wins will come it’s just a matter of how we execute.”

The Jacks will be on the road this weekend playing IUPUI on Friday and Western Illinois on Sunday. They return home on Friday, Oct. 17 when they face off against USD.