ORONO – The Maine Black Bears split a pair of opening-day volleyball matches in the Maine Invitational Friday, beating Oakland University in the afternoon, then falling to the University of Portland in the evening.

The 4-7 Black Bears downed the Golden Grizzlies 30-23, 30-19, 30-25, but the Pilots downed UMaine 30-28, 30-18, 32-30.

In the afternoon match, Leah Guidinger led the Bears with 11 kills and 13 digs. Kaili Jordan registered 11 kills.

Marina Ivankovic added eight kills and Carmen Gabriel and Claire Poliquin each had seven kills. Gabriel led both teams with 29 assists.

Oakland (0-12) was led by Becca Saldana, who had 23 assists and four blocks. Sara Miller had six kills and four blocks.

In the nightcap, Sara Vercruyssen posted 10 kills and Lauren Karpstein had nine in a balanced Portland effort. Sheena Surplus had 32 assists.

Jordan paced UMaine with 12 kills and Guidinger had 10, while Gabriel provided 22 assists.

Women’s soccer

Denver 2, Maine 0

At Boulder, Colo., Kristin Warren and Jenni Harris scored one goal each as 21st-ranked Denver shut out UMaine.

Angie Portincaso, Mychael Movius and Jamie Norwood provided assists for the 3-1-2 Pioneers. Erica Izard was not forced to make a save as the Black Bears took six shots.

Naomi Welsh made four saves on 13 shots for 2-4 Maine.