Box Score

The DBU Lady Patriot Volleyball Team is Heartland Conference Tournament Champions, following a thrilling 3-2 win over University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, Saturday afternoon at The Stubblefield Center.
 
The Lady Patriots (18-15) knock off the top-seed and host Lions, and in doing so earn their first Heartland Tournament title since 2009. They now advance to the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Tournament, played Dec. 5-7.
 
"The heart of this team has brought them all the way to this point," said a proud Cathy Kokel, DBU Head Coach. "They have carried themselves so well, with great character."
 
Driven by a 6-1 run mid-set, DBU carried the lead the majority of the first frame and held off a late UAFS charge, taking the set, 25-21. The second set took a similar path, with the Lady Patriots leading most of the way, before the Lions pulled within one at 22-21. The two clubs alternated points from there, with DBU squeezing out a 25-23 win.
 
With DBU leading 2-0, the third set remained tight throughout the first half, with the Lady Patriots and Lions tying at 17. UAFS took control from that point, however, closing on an 8-2 run to stay alive in the match, 25-19.
 
It took extra time in the fourth set, as each team faced multiple set points. On the Lions' third opportunity to take the set, they did just that, finally closing the frame, 29-27, forcing a fifth and final set.
 
Much like they did Friday night, with their backs against the wall, the Lady Patriots came alive, dominating the fifth set to the tune of a 15-8 win, completing the upset victory with a 3-2 match final.
 
DBU had stellar performances from multiple players, beginning with double-doubles from Tadam Mergener and Erika Papadeas. Mergener earned a match-high 25 kills, to go with 23 digs, both career best totals. Papadeas drilled 21 kills, adding 28 digs, tying her career high dig total, set just four weeks ago against this same UAFS squad.
 
"Well obviously Tadam (Mergener) was on fire," added Kokel of her sophomore hitter. "But really I am extremely proud of this entire team."
 
Tyler Bradsher and Kaycie Bird each pitched in on both sides of the net, earning 29 and 28 assists, respectively. Bradsher added 12 digs, with Bird earning 11. Cameron Hartson turned in another outstanding defensive performance, earning a team-high 38 digs.
 
For UAFS (22-9), who had won the previous two Heartland championships, Michelle Walker led four players with double-figure kills, totaling 17. Stephanie Brock earned a match-high 42 assists, with Emily Tripp edging out Hartson for the top defensive performance, tallying 39 digs.