THE RUNDOWN

The Lady Patriots (1-2) took on UC Colorado Springs (1-2) Saturday afternoon for their final day of the Oredigger Volleyball Classic. Junior Brooke Clark helped the team win the second set posting three kills in a row. Senior Strealy Sizelove posted three service aces in the match. Freshman Macey Winburn posted an impressive eight assists right behind senior Strealy Sizelove (22).

In the first set, the Lady Patriots stayed on top of the Mountain Lions right out of the gate. UCCS fought hard to tie the set 7-7 before DBU took the lead again. An attack error by Emma Eakin helped put DBU back on top for the rest of the set. Freshman Macey Winburn and Senior Strealy Sizelove each posted one service ace. After a DBU timeout, the Mountain Lions' Emily Ettel helped the team bounce back recording eight assists to bring UCCS just one point behind the Lady Patriots, 20-19. It wasn't enough to take the lead as DBU fought to stay on top winning the first match, 25-20.  

In the second set, DBU kept the same fire and never trailed. The Lady Patriots extended their lead 11-5 before the Mountain Lions rallied back scoring three points in a row. It wasn't enough to get ahead of the Lady Patriots with Emma Eakin posting three kills helping DBU stay on top. UCCS fought back bringing the score to 21-17 with the Mountain Lions' Taylor Smith and Josie Russel each posting a kill from freshman Emily Ettel. But three straight kills from junior Brooke Clark helped DBU take the second match to win 25-18.  

In the third set, the Mountain Lions kept up with the Lady Patriots. DBU led 10-9 going into a timeout before UCCS came back to tie the game. Three straight kills by Lexi Houston, Carly Earnest, and Strealy Sizelove helped put the Patriots back on top. The Lady Patriots wouldn't let up scoring seven points in a row making the score 17-10. After a UCCS timeout, the Mountain Lions rallied and scored four points before a DBU timeout. The Mountain Lions closed the gap scoring another six points. It wasn't enough to take the lead with the Lady Patriots winning, 25-22.

KEY STORYLINES
- Junior Brooke Clark posted an impressive 12 kills with senior Emma Eakin right behind with 9
- Senior Strealy Sizelove posted 21 assists
- Junior Alyssa Pevehouse and Senior Keely Hardin posted an impressive 11 digs
- Freshman Macey Winburn posted eight assists

DBU HEAD COACH CATHY KOKEL ON WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN
"Our focus is finding the best offense and defense that fits this specific team. We saw that come together more this match. We were able to serve receive a better game and that made for a good match on offense. We are working on the fundamentals and flow of the game and it's starting to come together.  The girls executed well and did a great job of keeping up their energy."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
51– Total digs for the Lady Patriots
.271- Hitting percentage as a team
6.0 – Total blocks compared to the opponents 3.0

UP NEXT
The Lady Patriots' last game in the Oredigger Volleyball Classic will be tonight against Colorado Mesa at 6:30 p.m.