Box Score

The DBU Lady Patriots Volleyball team earned their first win of the 2013 campaign, Saturday, a thrilling, 3-2 come-from-behind win over Colorado State University-Pueblo.

It didn't come easy for the Lady Patriots (1-3) in their final match of the Angelo State Invitational. DBU faced multiple CSU-Pueblo (0-4) match points before staging the dramatic comeback win.

"The biggest difference in that last match today was we were aggresive and offensive at the net," said Lady Patriot Head Coach Cathy Kokel. "CSU-Pueblo was a great team and the girls dug deep and played very hard."

The Lady Patriots were in control for the majority of the first set, eventually turning in a 25-19 win. Momentum shifted in the second set, as CSU-Pueblo led most of the frame, before DBU stormed back to a 21-21 tie. Four of the last six points were scored by the ThunderWolves, however, to even the match at one, 25-23.

The third set started tight, before a CSU-Pueblo 6-0 run gave the squad a nine-point cushion. The Lady Patriots did their best to fight back, piecing together 5-0 and 4-0 runs, to get within two at 24-22. The ThunderWolves halted the comeback, though, tallying the final point to take the 2-1 lead.

It took extra time to decide an exciting fourth set, as the two teams remained neck-and-neck until DBU took a 22-17 lead. CSUP responded with a 7-0 run to reach match point. Not to be outdone, the Lady Patriots stayed alive with a pair of points, eventually forcing the fifth set with a 28-26 win.

After a 2-2 tie in the fifth set, Dallas Baptist took the lead and never lost it, securing the set with a 15-11 win, and a 3-2 match victory.

Tiara Iwegbu, named to the All-Tournament Team, posted a match-high 24 kills, leading the DBU club. Erika Papadeas added 15, with Carly Hess turning in 10 to go with a solid .400 hitting percentage. Tyler Bradsher and Kaycie Bird shared the setting duties with 31 and 29 assists, respectively.

Four players contributed double-figure digs on the defensive end, led by 27 from Cameron Hartson. Papadeas completed the double-double with 16 digs, with Bird adding 11 and Tadam Mergener with 10.

For the ThunderWolves, Morgan Wilkening had a team-high 17 kills, set up by Kacy Griffin, who registered 54 assists. Griffin and Skylar Conner each had 16 digs to lead the club.

DBU will play one more match on the current road stretch, traveling to Texas A&M-Commerce, Tuesday at 7 p.m. They then return to campus for their home and Heartland Conference opener, taking on Newman University, Thursday at 7 p.m.