It was a bittersweet several days for DU athletes and fans this week as Denver competed in season-ending competitions which, ultimately, were decided in their opponents’ favor. This is a reminder to all of us why athletic competitions can provide great exhilaration as well as gut-wrenching disappointment which oftentimes hinge on a single moment. In each case, Denver was positioned for success but came up just short.
We told you about DU volleyball season coming to an abrupt end. In a conference championship final bid for an NCAA Tournament berth, the last four sets all went to extra points. Both teams fought off multiple championship points and Denver had numerous chances to win – as did South Dakota. There were huge plays by each team on both sides of the net and many close calls before DU ultimately fell in extra point fifth set.
DU gymnastics made it to the regional NCAA finals in Athens, Georgia. Overcoming injuries to key gymnast Emily Glynn and despite two 10’s by star Lynnzee Brown, DU still fell in the narrowest of margins to Florida and Minnesota to be the first team out in the Regional NCAA Tournament final. Brown will continue on in her quest for all-around and individual titles at the NCAA Championships later this month.
Who could forget DU golfer Anna Zanusso missing the cut earlier in the week at the Augusta Women’s Amateur by a single stroke?
Unfortunately, each came down to a single moment – a set point, a single routine and a putt.
But fear not Denver fans, we still have some excellent teams on the field and on the court who have yet to finish out this athletic fall season.
Denver men’s and women’s lacrosse are both undefeated in Big EAST play and likely to earn #1 seeds in the Big East Tournament should current trends continue. Denver (8-2, 6-0) put together a dominant second half against Marquette at Peter Barton Stadium while DU women’s lacrosse (6-1, 4-0) was idle.
Women’s soccer (12-2-1, 12-1-1) was idle and Denver men’s soccer’s scheduled two-game tilt was postponed against Eastern Illinois (that makes four COVID postponements for men’s soccer). That leaves the DU men (4-2) on the bubble heading into a two-game home-and-home series against Omaha. DU must sweep Omaha and the Eastern Illinois series must be rescheduled, played and swept if Denver men’s soccer is to win the Summit League automatic berth to the NCAA playoffs.
Men’s tennis (10-3, 1-0) wiped out Oral Roberts 6-1 Friday in Tulsa to begin conference play. Women’s Tennis (8-3, 2-0) blasted Omaha 7-0 Saturday at Denver Tennis Park.
Both men’s and women’s golf squads were idle this past weekend.