Box Score

With an emphatic kill by Tiara Iwegbu, the DBU Lady Patriot Volleyball Team earned a thrilling 3-1 victory over visiting Lubbock Christian University, Thursday evening at The Burg Center. DBU avenges a 3-1 loss at LCU, back on Sept. 28, and now stands at 12-13 overall, 9-4 in Heartland Conference play.
 
With the first set tied at five, DBU rattled off a 4-0 run, establishing the early lead. The Lady Patriots remained in control through the second half of the set, cruising to a 25-15 win and 1-0 match lead.
 
DBU carried the first set momentum into the second frame, jumping on top 10-4. From there, the Lady Patriots carried the lead, pulling away late to take the second set, 25-17, extending their match lead to 2-0.
 
The third frame started tight, with the clubs trading shots all the way up to a tie at 11. LCU pieced together a 4-1 run, giving the Lady Chaps a small advantage through the middle of the set. DBU slowly climbed back to tie the set at 17, before allowing an 8-1 LCU run to close the set, 25-18.
 
After an early 5-5 tie, LCU took the lead in the fourth set with a 6-1 run, 11-6. The Lady Patriots battled back the entire set, finally tying things at 22. Three of the final four points went to DBU, as the home club closed the match with the dramatic late comeback, 25-23.
 
Cameron Hartson was outstanding anchoring the DBU defense, turning in a career-high 39 digs to lead all players. Tadam Mergener was next with 20 digs, tying a career best, followed by 14 each from Kaycie Bird and Tyler Bradsher. Erika Papadeas rounded out the double-digit effort with 10, with Iwegbu earning four total blocks.
 
"Cameron's (Hartson) defense was outstanding once again," said DBU Head Coach Cathy Kokel. "All around, we got a really good effort from everyone."
 
A balanced offensive attack saw Papadeas complete the double-double with a team-high 11 kills. Mergener pitched in 10 kills, also earning the double-double. Iwegbu added nine kills, with Krystal Wunderlich and Carly Hess each earning six. Bradsher and Bird split time at setter, earning 22 and 20 assists, respectively.  
 
"We have been working on eliminating errors in practice, and I really saw that tonight. That is what we will continue to stress going forward, eliminating those unforced errors," added Kokel.
 
Lubbock Christian falls to 14-9, 10-4 in league play with the loss. Kacey Deterding and Abby White each earned 13 kills, tying for a match best, with Erin Fisher passing off 42 assists. Libero Christa Daniel led four players with double-digit digs, totaling 28.
 
The Lady Patriots continue the current home stand, Saturday, hosting University of Texas-Permian Basin to continue Heartland Conference play. That match is set to start at noon.