Momentum Builds for DU Fall Athletics
The Pioneers’ volleyball, soccer, and triathlon squads look to make October a defining month as their seasons intensify.
As the şÚÁĎĂĹ enters the heart of the fall sports season, its women’s volleyball, women’s triathlon, women’s soccer, and men’s soccer teams are gearing up for pivotal October matchups. Each program opened strong, powered by a mix of experienced returners and talented newcomers. Now, with conference play underway, DU’s athletes are looking to turn early momentum into Summit League success.
Women’s Volleyball
The şÚÁĎĂĹ volleyball team is off to a 11-4 start, including 3-1 in Summit League play, as it heads into a key October stretch. The Pioneers fell to South Dakota State on Oct. 2 and beat South Dakota 3-1 on Oct. 4 before traveling to North Dakota and North Dakota State later in the month. Head coach Megan Pendergast, now in her third season, says the team’s start reflects a mix of experienced returners and newcomers embracing the program’s culture. “It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work from everyone,” she says.
Pendergast expects a competitive league race this season. “The Summit League as a whole has really stepped up the competition,” she says. “There are usually three or four teams at the top. This year, it’s five or six.”
DU fans can expect a team that combines intensity with energy. “You're going to see big celebrations. You're going to see a group of women who really love what they're doing and work really, really hard.”
Women’s Soccer
The şÚÁĎĂĹ women’s soccer team enters October with a 6-4-3 record, including 3-1 in Summit League play. The Pioneers topped Kansas City on Oct. 2 with a 3-0 victory and fell to Oral Roberts on Oct. 5. The team will face South Dakota State at home on Oct. 9 and travel to St. Thomas on Oct. 16. Head coach Julianne Sitch, in her third season, says the team’s strong start reflects growth and resilience built over the last two years. “We talk a lot about how we can't skip steps to get us to where we want to go,” Sitch says. “Those moments show our grit, our resilience, and our character.”
Sitch emphasizes team culture and cohesion. “The only thing that you can control is your attitude and your work ethic—how you show up every single day,” she says. This season, returners and newcomers alike have stepped up, with freshmen like Annie Philbin quickly adjusting to the starting lineup, while upperclassmen and captains continue to set the tone. “We really want to win conference, but we need to do all the right things to put ourselves in the best situation to be in that championship game,” she adds.
Men’s Soccer
The şÚÁĎĂĹ men’s soccer team ends the first week of October with a 5-6 record, including 1-1 in Summit League play, as it heads into a challenging stretch with a road trip to Georgetown (Oct. 7) and home games against Delaware (Oct. 11) and Pittsburgh (Oct. 14). Head coach Jamie Franks, entering his 11th season, says he’s encouraged by how the mix of younger and older players is shaping the team. “The seniors stepped up and are learning how to be leaders, the freshmen are learning what their roles are, and the role players are learning what their skill sets are,” he says.
Franks stresses a process-oriented approach. “If you build positive habits every day consistently over time, you are what you habitually do,” he said. “Your attitude and effort are the things that you can control, and that’s what we hold our student-athletes responsible for.” Despite a tough start, he believes the team is learning from early challenges. “It really tests the character of the team. We put our players in tough situations to help them grow, expand, and push outside their comfort zones.”
Franks adds that the Pioneers remain focused on growth and resilience, aiming to stay consistent and compete at their highest level as the season progresses.
Women’s Triathlon
The şÚÁĎĂĹ women’s triathlon team is ranked eighth among Division I programs in the first 2025 rankings from the College Triathlon Coaches Association. The Pioneers posted a fifth-place finish at the Southern Hills Super Sprint on Aug. 30, sixth at the Desert’s Edge Triathlon on Sept. 14, and eighth at the Prairie State Cup on Oct. 4, with freshman Jenna Topott finishing in third place.
In , Head Coach Barbara Perkins said she’s proud of how the team has continued to progress as the sport grows nationally. “The competition has gotten stronger every year, so it’s nice to see the sport growing and getting more support across the country.”
She added that the mix of freshmen and senior leaders on the team provides a great balance. “It just feels like we’re all kind of in this together, and I think [the freshmen’s] excitement for the sport is contagious. … It’s also bringing that joy and excitement back to the girls that have been doing this for a long time.” Ěý
DU will next compete at the Western Regional Championships on Oct. 26.Ěý