THE LEAD
The matchup between the Lady Patriots and Emporia State was one of the closest matchups of the young 2016 season. ESU was able to inch passed DBU in four sets that kept the fans on the edge of their seats. The Lady Patriots received more noteworthy performances by their Freshman Strealy Sizelove who tallied a match leading 44 assists. Sophomore Lauren Nicks led the Lady Patriots with 3 blocks and tied senior leader Hannah Ballew with 22 digs. Madeline Dolberry led the match with 16 kills.
 
The first two sets of the match were dominated by the carrying the momentum. Each of the sets had both DBU and Emporia State trading off scoring streaks. For instance, the first set began with ESU getting off to a quick 0-3 lead, then the Lady Patriots came back with three of their own to make it 3-3 and ESU again scored three straight making it 3-6. This type of play continued throughout the set and it finished with a just as expected three score run. However, DBU was at the wrong of it as ESU pulled away with the first set with a close 24-26 win.
 
As mentioned, the story of the first set was mirrored quite closely by the second set. After falling behind 9-15, the Lady Patriots kicked it into gear as they climbed back with five consecutive points and eventually tying it back up at 17 apiece. DBU nicely put together another solid five score run and were bracing themselves for victory with a late 23-20 lead. However, ESU clawed their way back into the game as they refused to lose. Emporia State finished this set with four straight wins and another 24-26 victory.
 
 ESU was poised to close this match out with three game sweep and they backed that notion with a 0-6 start. The Lady Patriots however put together the most impressive comeback sets of the season they catapulted back with four score run and then again with a lead earning six score run making the score 20-19.  DBU only allowed two more scores by Emporia State and won the set 25-21 after trailing as much s eight points.
 
The fourth set was another back and forth momentum game that eventually left the set tied at seventeen.  At this point, Lady Patriots were hoping for a game five as they pulled ahead with three straight and creating a 20-17 lead. ESU tied it and stole the lead with a 4-0 run.  This barely gave Emporia State enough room to steal the set and match win with a 23-25 score.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
56 – Kills by DBU compared to ESU's 52
88 – Digs by DBU as compared to ESU's 77
44 – Assists by Strealy Sizelove compared to ESU's 44
10 – Blocks by ESU as opposed to DBU's 4
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lady Patriots finish the Hampton Inn-Vitational against Southern Nazarene at 3 PM.