The DBU Lady Patriot Volleyball Team wrapped up their regular season on Saturday afternoon with a hard fought loss to St. Mary's University. The visiting Rattlers avenged a loss suffered to DBU back on October ninth, as they won in five sets, 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 23-25, and 15-11. The Lady Patriots drop to 15-17 on the season and 7-5 in the Heartland Conference, but they have already secured a place in the Heartland Conference Tournament later this week.

The teams battled back and forth all afternoon, but it was the Rattlers who were able to edge out the first two victories of the day. With their backs against the wall facing a two-game deficit, the Lady Patriots responded with two consecutive victories in the third and fourth sets to force a decisive, game five tie-breaker.

The two teams found themselves knotted at 5-5 early in the tie-breaker, but St. Mary's took five of the next seven points for a 10-7 lead. DBU kept close off a kill by Sophomore Christina Steinkruger that pulled DBU to within three points, 11-14, but St. Mary's capped their win on the ensuing point with a kill of their own from Mallory Moeller.

Freshman Greysen Reed finished with a game-high 15 kills to go along with 17 digs, while Junior Kaylyn Frink contributed 13 kills and 15 digs. Steinkruger was the only other Lady Patriot in double figure kills with 11. Freshman Cameron Hartson led the team defensively with a game-high 26 digs.

The Lady Patriots will travel to Austin on Thursday, Novermber 11, as they prepare for the Heartland Conference Tournament, hosted by first place St. Edward's University. As soon as the tournament is set, game information will be posted online on the DBU Volleyball schedule.