Box Score

The Dallas Baptist Lady Patriot Volleyball Team concluded a five-match home stand, Thursday, dropping a 3-2 contest to visiting McMurry University. With the loss DBU drops to 13-14 overall, 10-5 in conference play with three Heartland matches remaining.
 
The first set started quickly for the Lady Patriots, who jumped out to a 5-1 lead, forcing a McMurry timeout. Things didn't slow down for DBU, however, as the home club rattled off an 8-1 run, extending their lead to 13-2. The Lady Patriots held off a short McMurry run late, eventually taking the frame, 25-17.
 
The second frame started much tighter than the first, as the two clubs traded leads up to a tie at 10. McMurry pulled ahead with a 6-1 run, forcing a DBU timeout, which sparked a 4-1 Lady Patriot run, pulling within two. The comeback attempt halted from that point, however, as McMurry slowly pulled away for a 25-17 win, tying the match at one.
 
Aided by a 5-0 run, McMurry extended an early third set lead to 14-6. DBU responded with a 3-0 run, pulling within five at 14-9. Like the second set, McMurry stifled the Lady Patriot comeback attempt, taking a 2-1 match lead with a 25-17 win.
 
The fourth set again started tight, with the clubs tied as late as 12. The Lady Patriots scored a pair of points, taking a 14-12 lead. DBU led the rest of the way, though things remained tight, with the lead never exceeding four, eventually taking the set 25-23.
 
McMurry took a quick 4-0 lead in the decisive fifth set, including a pair of service aces. DBU Head Coach Cathy Kokel called a timeout, sparking a 4-1 run to pull the Lady Patriots within one. The War Hawks slowly pulled away from that point, however, taking the frame, 15-9, and the match, 3-2.  
 
"Errors killed us again today," said Kokel, who has been stressing eliminating unforced errors to her club. "That is something we are going to continue to work on."
 
Tiara Iwegbu led the always balanced Lady Patriot attack with a match-high 15 kills. Erika Papadeas was close behind with 14 kills, followed by 13 from Tadam Mergener. Kaycie Bird passed off 26 assists, with Tyler Bradsher adding 19.
 
Reigning Heartland Libero of the Week Cameron Hartson led DBU with 35 digs, followed by a solid 26 dig performance by Bird. Bradsher added 17 digs, with Mergener and Papadeas completing double-doubles with 16 and 13, respectively. Iwegbu was solid on the net, as well, totaling seven blocks.
 
"Tiara (Iwegbu) played well today," added Kokel. "Also, all of our setters were solid on the defensive side, especially Kaycie (Bird), she had a great defensive game."
 
For the visiting club, Kelsey Harkins led the way with 14 kills, leading four players in double-figures. Peyton Evans totaled 44 assists, with Ayssa Garcia earning 38 digs, both match high. The War Hawks move to 12-14 with the win, 8-7 in Heartland play.
 
The Lady Patriots take to the road this weekend, competing in a Heartland Conference contest, Saturday at noon, at St. Edward's University. They conclude the regular season with a three-game home stand, beginning with a non-conference contest against Midwestern State University, Tuesday at 7 p.m.