By now, it has become a tradition.
The Washington volleyball team Friday night did what every UW team has done for the past 14 NCAA tournaments: win a first-round match, on this occasion defeating Denver, a game but overmatched Summit League champion, 3-0 Friday night in front of 4,231 at Alaska Airlines Arena.
With Tia Scambray hitting rockets from multiple angles and Courtney Schwan skillfully mixing tips, roll shots and heavy blasts deep and down the line, the Huskies were too much for the Pioneers, winning 25-12, 25-14, 25-12. UW posted 53 kills to Denver’s 17.
Washington, 29-2 and the tournament’s fifth-seeded team, will host Michigan State (19-14) Saturday at 7 p.