THE RUNDOWN
The Lady Patriots (7-11) fell in their Thursday evening contest against UA Fort Smith (10-7) inside the Burg Center. Sophomore Brooke Clark added a team high nine kills with 11 and a half total points. Senior Madeline Dolberry posted eight kills and three digs, while senior Kasey Holand recorded six kills of her own with seven points. Senior Merci Perry registered 11 assists, good for her fourth consecutive double-digit assist performance.

DBU and UAFS battled early, but it was the Lady Lions who came out with the early 21-13 lead before the Lady Patriots called their first timeout. DBU rallied after the break with a 3-0 run that forced the Lady Lions into their first timeout of the contest. UAFS went onto score the next four points to take the opening set 25-16, led by Anna Demmer and Debra Rogers, each finishing with four kills.

DBU jumped out to a quick 5-3 lead in the second set, but the Lady Lions would not go quietly, knotting the match up at 6-6. After a trio of UAFS errors put the Lady Patriots ahead 9-6, UAFS closed the lead to 10-10 before DBU's second timeout of the match. After the timeout, UAFS surged ahead with a 6-2 run putting them ahead 16-12. DBU's late set efforts were halted by the Lady Lions who went on to win the second set, 25-22.

Down 2-0, DBU looked to extend the match in the third set. Tied at 6-6, the Lady Lions went on a 5-0 run making the score 11-6 in favor of UAFS. DBU called a timeout to regroup, but UAFS kept the pressure on the Lady Patriots keeping the lead at 17-14 before calling a timeout of their own. After the break, UAFS did not step off the gas, winning the third set 25-16, to seal the match.

KEY STORYLINES
 
- DBU posted 63 digs on the evening, the teams highest in over a week.
- DBU recorded 33 total kills.
- Merci Perry has registered four consecutive double-digit assist matches. 
 
 INSIDE THE NUMBERS
32 - Total assists by the Lady Patriots.
63 - Total digs as a team.
24 - Combined kills for Katie Nicholson, Kasey Holand, and Brooke Clark.

UP NEXT
DBU will continue play at home Saturday at noon against Newman University.