Box Score

In a matchup of two teams playing outstanding volleyball, the DBU Lady Patriots outlasted the Midwestern State University Mustangs in a five-set thriller, 3-2. Dallas Baptist has now won 7-of-8 contests, improving to 11-11 on the season.
 
Midwestern State (11-9) has also been solid of late, winning 4-of-5 matches heading into Tuesday. The contest was the first of a home-and-home series between these two clubs, with the Mustangs visiting DBU three weeks from tonight, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.
 
Tuesday's match was a true back-and-forth affair, as the two clubs traded set wins all the way to the fifth frame. DBU took the first set, 25-22, countered by an MSU win, 25-21.
 
The Lady Patriots again took the lead, this time with a 25-21 win. Not to be outdone, Midwestern State stayed alive with a win in the fourth set, 25-20, forcing a decisive fifth set.
 
After falling behind 4-0 to start the set, the Lady Patriots fought their way back, taking a brief lead, before the set tied at eight. DBU then rattled off three straight points and slowly pulled away, taking the match with a 15-10 win.
 
"Midwestern did some really good things in tonight's match," said DBU Head Coach Cathy Kokel. "We were finally able to make some adjustments by the fifth set."
 
"As a team we stayed calm and disciplined at the end of the match," added Kokel. "The girls played with a lot of heart."
 
Erika Papadeas and Tadam Mergener each earned double-doubles in the win, their second consecutive match to do so. Papadeas turned in a team-high 17 kills to go with 19 digs, tying for a team best. Mergener was close behind, earning 15 kills and 15 digs.
 
Tiara Iwegbu was also outstanding on the attack, earning 12 kills, as well as four blocks on defense. Tyler Bradsher earned a match-high 30 assists, with Kaycie Bird sharing the setting duties and adding 24. Krystal Wunderlich also pitched in nine kills. 
 
On the defensive end, Cameron Hartson, reigning Heartland Conference Libero of the Week, tied Papadeas with the team-high 19 digs. Bird earned 11 digs, with Bradsher adding nine.
 
Caitlin Wallace headed up the Mustang attack with a match-high 20 kills, followed by 12 from Marissa Olivares. Sarah Rosinske and Alyssa Fulguim passed off 29 and 24 assists, respectively. Olivares completed the double-double with a match-high 32 digs, leading three players in double-figures.
 
The Lady Patriots return to Dallas for their next home stand, having played 13 of their last 15 matches on the road. The five-game stretch begins with a doubleheader, Saturday, as DBU hosts University of Arkansas-Fort Smith at noon, in a battle of the top two teams in the Heartland Conference. The Lady Patriots follow with a non-conference contest with Texas Woman's University at 4:30 p.m.