Box Score

After a thrilling first set comeback, the Dallas Baptist University Lady Patriots Volleyball team fell short in their second match of the Angelo State Invitational, Friday, falling 3-1 to the Colorado Mesa University Mavericks.

"The girls played hard today," said DBU Head Coach Cathy Kokel. "We just have some kinks to work out and we will start looking great."

The Lady Patriots (0-2) battled back throughout the first set, trailing by as many as seven, before tying the score at 19. After trading points, and trailing 23-22, Kokel called a timeout, refocusing the team to the tune of three straight points and a 25-23 first set win. 

Colorado Mesa (2-0) turned the tide in the second set, putting together a pair of 6-0 runs after the set was tied at six, eventually taking the set, 25-15. The third set was much of the same, as the Mavericks took the 2-1 set lead with a 25-13 win.

In the fourth set, Dallas Baptist came out firing and appeared primed to force a fifth and final set. However, with a 24-20 lead, the Patriots surrendered the next six points, giving the Mavericks a 26-24 fourth set win and a 3-1 match victory.
DBU spread the ball around effectively in the contest, as 10 different players registered kills, led by 15 from Tiara Iwegbu. Tyler Bradsher and Kaycie Bird shared the setting duties, earning 16 and 15 assists, respectively.

Four different players registered double-digit digs, with Cameron Hartson earning the team-high 27. Also solid on defense were Erika Papadeas (18), Bradsher (13), and Tadam Mergener (10).

"I saw a lot of great defense from Cameron Hartson; I am looking forward to seeing her all season on the back row," added Kokel.

Christian Otzen was the top offensive contributor for Colorado Mesa with 23 kills, also registering 10 digs to earn the double-double. Jordyn Moody passed off 48 assists, with Sunni Rae Baird earning 29 digs, a game high.

The Lady Patriots will be forced to put the loss behind them, as they kick off day two of the tournament, Saturday, with a 10 a.m. contest against Tarleton State University. They will then complete their weekend at 4 p.m. against Colorado State-Pueblo.