THE RUNDOWN
Facing third-ranked Angelo State on Saturday at the Burg Center, DBU (8-4, 6-4) jumped out to an early lead, claiming the first set, before dropping the next three in a 3-1 loss to the Belles. Two-time Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Year Kailyn Gilbreath paced Angelo State (16-2, 9-0) with 21 kills as the Lady Patriots dropped their third straight match for the first time this year.

DBU seized the early momentum with a 25-21 win over ASU in the first set.  Tied at 20 apiece, a service error by Gilbreath handed the Lady Patriots a lead that they would not surrender down the stretch as a kill by Hailey Van Poppel and a service ace from Sophia Black propelled DBU to a four-point victory.
Looking to go up 2-0, the Lady Patriots carried their momentum into the second set and forced an ASU timeout after claiming a 5-1 lead.  Coming out of the timeout, the Belles eventually tied the set at eight apiece on a kill from Gilbreath.  Still tied at 11, another kill from Gilbreath put ASU on top for good as the Belles eventually cruised to a 25-16 win.

Tied at one set apiece, ASU bested the Lady Patriots 25-15 in the third set.  As had been the case through the first two sets, DBU and ASU exchanged the lead in the early going.  Tied at seven apiece, the Belles outscored the Lady Patriots 18-8 the rest of the way to go up 2-1.

Looking to send the match into a fifth and final set, DBU mounted a valiant effort and found themselves tied at 18.  Once again, a kill by Gilbreath jump-started the Belles as the Lady Patriots were unable to retake the lead in a hard-fought 25-21 loss.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
 - ASU's Grace White (.556), Baleigh Allen (.471), and Kailyn Gilbreath (.421) each posted hitting percentages over .400.
 - Halee Van Poppel was the lone Lady Patriot with double-digit kills (15).
 - DBU becomes just the third team in the Lone Star Conference to win a set versus No. 3 ASU.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
7 – DBU totaled seven service aces compared to ASU's one.
.441 – The Belles posted a match-high .441 hitting percentage in the second set.
21 – Kayla Brock led the Lady Patriots with 21 kills.

COACH JORDAN FISH ON A VALIANT EFFORT VERSUS ASU
"I am very proud of how we competed against a tough Angelo team.  We are right there and are hungry to get better next week."
 
UP NEXT
DBU remains home to face Southern Nazarene on Tuesday at the Burg Center.  Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.