Box Score

The Dallas Baptist Lady Patriot Volleyball Team began a seven-match road trip, Thursday, with a 3-2 loss to non-conference foe, Arkansas Tech. The loss snaps DBU's four-match win streak, as the club drops to 4-4 overall. Arkansas Tech improves to 7-3 with the win.
 
An exciting, back-and-forth first set saw the Lady Patriots trailing late, 23-22, after the teams traded leads throughout the frame. DBU rattled off the final three points, taking the 1-0 match lead, 25-23.
 
Arkansas Tech took hold of the momentum in the second set, starting the frame on a 7-1 run. DBU climbed back within three before the Golden Suns rattled off a 7-0 run, extending their lead to 19-9. From there, ATU stifled a short DBU comeback attempt, winning the set 25-17 and evening the match at one.
 
The third set took a similar start to the second, this time with Golden Suns opening on a 6-1 run. The Lady Patriots slowly climbed back, eventually tying the set at 14. The two clubs traded shots the rest of the way, with DBU scoring four straight points to close the set, 25-22.
 
Arkansas Tech led most of the fourth set, holding off several DBU charges and forcing a fifth set with a 25-19 win. The two teams swapped leads early in the fifth set, before a 6-0 Arkansas Tech run eventually led to a 15-10 win.

"They outdefended us and took us out of our system a lot," said Head Coach Cathy Kokel. "Arkansas Tech was a great defensive team, and in a game like that the best defensive team wins."
 
Erika Papadeas was the leading hitter for DBU, turning in 16 kills. Tiara Iwegbu, reigning Heartland Hitter of the Week, added 15 kills, with Tadam Mergener pitching in 11. Kaycie Bird and Tyler Bradsher did the passing, earning 22 and 14 assists, respectively.
 
On the defensive end, Cameron Hartson led the way with 35 digs. Mergener earned the double-double with 20 digs, with Bradsher adding 14. Krystal Wunderlich completed the double-digit defensive effort with 10 digs, with Iwegbu strong on the net, contributing four blocks.
 
For Arkansas Tech, Katie Huff and Sara Motsinger each earned match-high 19 kills. Amber Cerrillos had 59 assists, also a match high. Five players registered double-digit digs, led by 37 by Morgan McKellar.
 
The Lady Patriots spend the next two days at the Mary Beth Sudduth Invitational at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Friday, DBU will take on Harding (2 p.m.) and No.11 Washburn, followed by Saturday contests against Arkansas-Fort Smith (10 a.m.) and Southern Nazarene (2 p.m.).
 
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