THE RUNDOWN
The DBU Volleyball team controlled their own destiny as they needed to win both of their matches this weekend to clinch a spot in the Heartland Conference Tournament. The Lady Patriots would fall short in their mission as they were swept by the St. Mary's Rattlers, 3-0. Krystal Wunderlich led DBU with 12 kills and Kaycie Bird had a match high 33 assists.

Opening up the first set the Rattlers would jump out to a 4-1 lead on the Lady Patriots. DBU would respond by scoring three straight points to tie up the set. From there both squads would continue to tie up the score and exchange leads. With the score tied up at 13, St. Mary's would get the separation they needed from Dallas Baptist mid-set as they went ahead, 16-13. The Lady Patriots would not be able to close the gap on the Rattler's lead as they went on to take the first set, 25-20.

In the second set with both squads tied up at 8, DBU would take the lead scoring four of the next five points creating a, 12-9 advantage. The Lady Patriots would go on to extend their lead to, 15-12 but the Rattlers would answer back by tying up the score at 15. After St. Mary's had taken the lead over Dallas Baptist, 17-16 they would control the set never relinquishing the lead to win the second set, 25-21.

With the opportunity of a chance to qualify for the Heartland Conference Tournament at stake the Lady Patriots would fight to the end against the Rattlers. Both teams would battle to a 20-20 tie late into the set, but it would be St. Mary's ultimately who would prevail scoring five of the last seven points of the set to close the match, 25-22 and punch their ticket to the Heartland Conference Tournament.

COACH'S QUOTE
"This team has had so many things going against them this year due to injuries and those injuries came out tonight. That was a tough loss and all we can do is get ready for Saturday."-Coach Cathy Kokel

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
50  Number of kills registered by StMU
49  Number of assists registered by StMU
21  Number of tie scores between DBU and StMU 
4    Number of lead changes between both DBU and StMU.
5.5 Number of total team blocks registered by DBU

WHAT'S NEXT
For the final game of the regular season DBU will head down to Laredo, TX to take on the Texas A&M International Dustdevils on Saturday, November 8. First serve is at noon.