Box Score

In a battle between two teams locked in a tie for third place in the Heartland Conference standings, the Dallas Baptist Volleyball Team (15-15, 11-6) cruised to a 3-0 win over St. Mary's (14-13, 10-7).  DBU was led by junior, Erika Papadeas, who finished with a team-leading 15 digs and 13 kills.  Tiara Iwegbu and Tadam Mergener also contributed on the offensive end with 11 kills each.  Cameron Hartson, who entered the match ranked third in the nation in digs per set, posted a 14 dig night to help lift the Patriots to the win.
 
In the first set, St. Mary's grabbed an early 7-3 lead, before the Lady Patriots rallied for eight of the next 11 points to grab an 11-10 lead, forcing a Rattler timeout.  Coming out of the timeout, DBU continued to apply the pressure, scoring four straight points, prompting another St. Mary's timeout.   The Lady Patriots would go on to win the first set 25-15, with Papadeas leading the way, scoring five points, including four kills.
 
The Lady Patriots' momentum carried over to the start of the second set, as DBU jumped out to a 5-1 advantage, behind a barrage of kills from junior, Tiara Iwegbu.  DBU would eventually widen the gap to a double-digit lead at 15-5.  The Lady Patriots would finish the set in dominating fashion with a 25-12 victory.
 
In the the third set, DBU and St. Mary's went back-and-forth, with neither team able to seize control.  The Rattlers took a slight edge at 15-13, before a resounding spike by Mergener, and back-to-back miscues by St. Mary's resulted in a 16-15 lead for the Lady Patriots.  Coming out of a Rattler timeout, Mergener picked up where she left off with another kill to extend the lead to two.  DBU would not surrender the lead, as they closed out the game with a 25-23 win in the final set.
 
"We are just coming alive offensively right now," DBU Head Coach Cathy Kokel said following the victory.  "We're just playing with a ton of confidence in all phases of the game and this group is playing for one another down the stretch.  They want to win for this group of seniors."
 
With the win, DBU earns consecutive 3-0 shutouts in league play for the second time this season.  The Lady Patriots posted back-to-back 3-0 victories over Oklahoma Panhandle State and Newman on October 17th and 19th.
 
Dallas Baptist now turns their focus to the regular season finale this Saturday at noon, when they host Texas A&M International.  It will be the final home game for seniors, Tyler Bradsher,  Cameron Hartson, Taylor Jones, and Kendall Sepanek.  The four seniors along with team manager Lauren Pavloske will be honored on Senior Day at the Burg Center, prior to Saturday's match.
 
Following the contest, DBU will travel to Fort Smith, Arkansas for the Heartland Conference Tournament begining on November 22nd.