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Getting some face time with DU's viral volleyball player

Tina Boe, a middle blocker for the Pioneers, practicing at Hamilton Gym on the University of Denver campus on Tuesday. Boe went viral for a point she made with her face in Sunday's Summit League Tournament Final.

DENVER — The game of volleyball is all about winning points, no matter the cost.

For Tina Boe, she came face to face with that fact in Sunday’s Summit League Tournament Final against South Dakota, scoring a point off of her face.

WATCH: DU volleyball player scores point off of her face

"I had just rotated around, served the ball into play and then tried to get into base,” Boe, a sophomore middle blocker, recalled. “Their middle is super talented. She went up on a big slide and just got me right square in the face.”

Unable to get her hands up in time, the ball nailed Boe in the face. Boe says she thought the ball went straight up in the air, but instead it went over the tape, scoring a point in an empty Coyotes backcourt.

"I think I was a little bit in shock, eyes watering a bit. I could feel my nose start to bleed a little bit,” she added. “Just celebrated with my teammates and then I had to go back and serve again. So, I had to really put it together and refocus after that."

The Pioneers would fall 3-2 but Boe’s face kill went viral on social media. It was shared on several different Twitter accounts, from espnW, Yahoo Sports, and NCAA Volleyball. It even landed a spot as the No. 10 play of Sunday night’s Sportscenter.

"It was a little bit overwhelming. I kinda wish that Sportscenter would have recognized something that wasn't a ball to the face. But regardless it was super cool to see that video on all these different accounts and see all the different comments on it. It was really fun to look at."

Boe admits it was slightly embarrassing and painful, but she’s taken it all in stride. She added that it helped her gain 200-300 new followers on Instagram.

"I might have to implement it into my new routine, my warmup. Straight off the face, in case it ever happens again,” Boe said with a laugh.

The viral hit just so happened to be on her 20th birthday, making it a birthday that she, or her face, will never forget.

Denver is now awaiting their fate in the NCAA Tournament. The Selection Show is set for this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. MT on ESPNU. 64 teams will be selected for the tournament but 32 teams will receive an automatic bid from winning their conference tournament finals.

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