Box Score LOS ANGELES – The Lions came up just short against the Denver Pioneers, falling 3-2 in a five-set battle at Gersten Pavilion.

The opening set was neck-and-neck, with Denver grabbing the first lead before LMU responded. A Sophie Stephenson kill sparked a 3-0 run that put the Lions ahead, and the teams traded points until the Pioneers pulled ahead, 15-12. LMU rallied late, tying the score at 19 after a Zaria Thornton kill and closing the set with a Maddie Boerstra service ace to win, 25-21.

The Lions carried that momentum into the second set, taking control early with a 6-0 run to jump ahead, 6-1. Boerstra's kill fueled another surge, and Cecily Bramschreiber stretched the lead to double digits at 14-4. LMU dominated wire-to-wire, cruising to a 25-13 victory.

Denver responded in set three, overcoming an early deficit after LMU built a 13-7 lead on a Bramschrieber kill. The Pioneers answered with a six-point run to take the lead, and after seven ties down the stretch, Denver pulled out the set, 28-26.

Set four was just as tight, with both teams trading points throughout. LMU grabbed a late 22-20 advantage, but Denver capitalized on two Lion errors to edge out the set, 25-23, forcing a decisive fifth.

In the final frame, the Lions struck first before Denver tied the score at 4-4. The Pioneers then went on a crucial 5-0 run to build a 12-7 cushion. LMU cut into the deficit with three straight points after a timeout, but Denver closed it out, 15-11, to seal the 3-2 win.

Boerstra led all players with 21 kills, followed by Stephenson with 16. Defensively, Isabella Ocampo anchored the back row with a match-high 18 digs.

The Lions return to action tomorrow at 1 p.m. when they host the USC Trojans at Gersten Pavilion.

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