THE RUNDOWN
DBU (4-1, 3-1) clinched a nail-biting 3-2 win over Oklahoma Christian (5-7, 1-3) on Saturday afternoon at the Eagles' Nest in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to stay undefeated on the road this season. Four Lady Patriots recorded double-digit kills, and DBU generated a season-high 10 service aces in its first five-set match of the season.
 
The Lady Patriots got out to a strong start, leading the opening set 11-5 thanks to a pair of Aryn Walton service aces. Walton fed Haley Harman for a kill that kept a six-point advantage at 17-11 before the Eagles hit their stride and rallied back. Oklahoma Christian managed to regain the lead and close out set one with a 25-22 win.
 
After falling behind 4-1, DBU engineered a surgical 11-1 run to take control of the second set. OC attempted to make a push, getting back to within three at 18-15, but the Lady Patriots poured in six consecutive points in response. Harman notched one of her 11 kills to finish off the frame at 25-17 and tie the match 1-1.
 
The third set remained close throughout, with neither team holding more than a three-point lead until an Eagles' attack error gave DBU a 24-20 edge. Consecutive OC kills kept the pressure on, but a service error closed the door on the comeback attempt and gave the Lady Patriots the critical swing set.

DBU sat on match point at 24-22, ready to finish out the fourth set with a second road conference win in as many days, but the Eagles tightened up defensively and extended the match to a final set with four straight points.

The Lady Patriots did not waste any time in the final frame, leading 3-0 early and later executing a 7-1 run to reach match point at 14-7. With its back against the wall for the second straight set, Oklahoma Christian again dug deep and churned out five consecutive points to get back within two. This time, however, Halee Van Poppel dropped an off-speed attack in front of the back row to give DBU a 3-2 win.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
 - Aryn Walton's 6 service aces are the most by an individual DBU player since Hannah Ballew recorded 6 on October 9, 2014 against Oklahoma Panhandle State.
 - Halee Van Poppel has led DBU in kills in all five matches this season.
 - DBU's 3-1 start in conference play matches the program's 2019 season as the best opening to conference play while in the LSC.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
3 – Consecutive matches that Leah Palensky has eclipsed 20 digs.
6 – Blocks by Alyssa Parks.
.342 – DBU's hitting percentage in the second set.

UP NEXT
DBU will come back to Dallas to host Midwestern State at 6:00 pm CT on Friday, October 1.