UA FORT SMITH at DBU
September 11 | Dallas, TX | Burg Center
 
MULTIMEDIA COVERAGE
Video: Patriot Broadcast Network
Live Stats: DBU Live Stats
 
THE LEAD
After getting their first win of the season on the road it was a rather sour homecoming for the DBU Volleyball team after they lost to the Midwestern State Mustangs 3-2, at one point holding a 2-0 set lead. Krystal Wunderlich and Tiara Gipson combined for 35 kills for the Lady Patriots with Austin Roberts distributing a match high 49 assists. DBU currently sits in third place in the Heartland Conference with an overall record of 1-2. This Thursday they have another chance to get their first win at home before they hit the road again, as they host the 2013 Heartland Conference Champion University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Lady Lions who sit at 5-1.
 
THE LAST TIME OUT
The last meeting between the Lady Patriots and the Lady Lions was in the Heartland Conference Tournament on November 23, 2013. DBU went on to defeat top seeded UA-Fort Smith 3-2 capturing the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship and earning a bid in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Tournament. Tadam Mergener and Erika Papadeas amassed for 46 kills and Kaycie Bird tied for a team high 28 assists.

PAPADEAS CLOSE TO 100
Erika Papadeas will be playing in her 100th career match for the DBU Volleyball team when they take the court against UA Fort Smith on Thursday. Papadeas ranks third on the team in digs with 32.    
 
TOTAL BLOCKING
Despite DBU's 1-2 start they have led their opponents in blocks overall this season. They currently sit atop the Heartland Conference in blocks with the individual leader in blocks being a member of the Lady Patriots.

STAT STUFFER
After one week into the 2014 campaign, senior middle blocker, Tiara Gipson stands atop the Heartland Conference in three statistical categories hitting percentage, blocks per set and service aces per set. Within the opening week Gipson totaled a hitting percentage of .535, 1.14 blocks per seat and 0.71 service aces per set. 
 
ONE AWAY FOR BALLEW
In her second year with the Lady Patriots junior Libero Hannah Ballew is one set away from playing in the 50th set of her career for the DBU Volleyball team. Ballew currently leads the team in digs with 51 and digs per set 4.25.
 
SCOUTING THE LADY LIONS
Being led by 2013 Heartland Conference Coach of the Year Jane Sargent, the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Lady Lions are heading into the Burg Center on Thursday with a record of 5-1, sitting in second place overall in the Heartland Conference. The Lady Lions started off the season 1-1 with their only loss coming from Tarleton State in the Angelo State Tournament. Since that loss they have went on a winning streak of four games with their last match being a sweep of Heartland Conference opponent Newman University. Despite losing multiple All Heartland Conference award winners UA Fort Smith returns with the 2013 Heartland Conference Player of the Year senior outside hitter Michelle Walker, who currently leads the Heartland Conference in kills and was voted Hitter of the Week by the conference. Another big contributor for UAFS is Libero Emily Tripp who was recently voted Libero of the week by the Heartland Conference.
 
SERIES HISTORY
UA Fort Smith leads the series history against DBU 11-2. Before the Lady Patriots won the 2013 Heartland Conference Tournament Championship they had been defeated by the Lady Lions six straight times.