THE RUNDOWN
DBU (3-1, 2-1) won its first road match of the season 3-1 over Arkansas Fort Smith (5-6, 0-3) on Friday night at the Stubblefield Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Halee Van Poppel, Price Reeves, and Audrey Nunes all recorded double-digit kills, while Reeves teamed up with Alyssa Parks on the defensive end for seven block assists each.
 
After spending the first half of set one staying even with the Lions, DBU churned out a 5-0 push to take an 18-14 lead courtesy of back-to-back Sofia Black service aces. UAFS chipped in a handful of points to temporarily stay within striking range, but Halee Van Poppel poured in two of her six opening-frame kills to give the visiting Lady Patriots a 25-18 win.
 
The second set was subject to runs. The Lions created separation early with an 8-0 stretch for a quick 11-4 advantage. DBU responded with a pair of 4-0 runs, knotting the score even at 13-13. Both teams exchanged attack errors before UAFS rattled off six straight points to regain a cushion, ultimately closing out the set 25-20 despite a valiant effort on both sides by Sofia Black and Audrey Nunes.
 
DBU stared down a 6-3 deficit to begin the third set before climbing back and pulling even at 9-9 with a Sofia Black kill. 9 of the next 11 points went the Lady Patriots' way to open up a seemingly firm 18-11 lead, but UAFS would not back down. The Lions fought their way back to a 20-20 deadlock, staying close the rest of the frame. Price Reeves scored on a pair of Kayla Brock feeds to give DBU a 25-23 win and take the swing set to hold a 2-1 advantage.

Set four was all Lady Patriots, as coach Jordan Fish's squad carved out a sizzling 8-1 lead and didn't look back. Twice the Lions attempted a furious rally, but both were halted by the DBU offense. After lingering on match point, Haley Harman closed out the evening's action with a strike from the right side to give DBU the 25-17 victory.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
 - DBU's 102 digs are the most in a single match since March 3, 2021, when the Lady Patriots recorded 109 digs in a 3-2 win over TWU.
 - Alyssa Parks converted 4 of her 10 attacks to lead the team in hitting efficiency (.400).
 - four Lady Patriots (Price Reeves, 16.5; Haley Van Poppel, 16; Sofia Black, 12.5; Audrey Nunes, 11.5) finished with over 10 total points.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
29 – Total assists from Kayla Brock, eclipsing her previous career-high of 22.
32 – Digs by Leah Palensky, a career-best mark.
.318 – DBU's hitting percentage in the fourth set.

UP NEXT
DBU will head to Edmond, Oklahoma, to take on Oklahoma Christian at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 25.