Dallas Baptist University Athletics

THE LEAD
The stands were certainly stuffed tonight as fans and athletes came out to see DBU athletics receive the Heartland Conference Commission award for their athletic performance last year and cheer on the Lady Patriots. Volleyball faced a very talented Tarleton State team that includes Hailey Roberts, whom leads the nation in kills. DBU fell in three sets but should improved defense by the third set that gave the Lady Patriots some confidence. DBU was led by impressive performances by Madeline Dolberry and Laruen Nicks. Dolberry led the team with 9 kills as Nicks added 11 more digs to her season tally.
 
The Lady Patriots looks timid in the first set and TSU took full advantage of it. Tarleton State took the first set 25-11.
 
DBU hung with TSU in the second set as they traded the lead at the beginning until a tied 7-7 score. After that, Tarleton went on a 7-2 run to give them the lead 13-9. The Lady Patriots returned by scoring three straight, pulling them within 1-point. Unfortunately for DBU, rest of the set belonged to TSU and they stole the set 25-18.
 
Tarleton jumped to a quick 3-0 lead in the third set but the Lady Patriots looked like a different team through the mid-part of this set. DBU tightened up their defense and their offense-followed suit. The Lady Patriots climbed back into this set and tied it even at 13 apiece. DBU stayed with them up to a 19-17 score with TSU slightly in the lead. From there, Tarleton closed out the match on a 6-1 run to give them a 25-18 set and match victory.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
.057 – Hitting percentage recorded by DBU
43 – Kills by TSU compared to DBU's 26
7 – Blocks by TSU opposed to DBU's 2
 
COACH KOKEL ON IMPROVED PLAY IN THE THIRD SET
"We started playing more of an aggressive defense, attacking the ball, which we have been talking about that. It was great to see it happen so I think it's a confidence builder going into the next several games. When our defense plays well, our offense comes around too. Even though that was a loss that was a confidence booster for us."
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lady Patriots are back on the road as they travel to Austin on Thursday to face conference opponent St. Edwards at 7PM.