THE RUNDOWN
DBU (20-3, 11-1) knocked off Arkansas–Fort Smith (12-10, 4-5) on the road in straight sets on Wednesday for its 20th victory of the season. The Lady Patriots hit .318 in one of their most balanced offensive outputs of 2022.
 
With a back-and-forth start to the match, DBU found a groove with a 5-0 run to go up, 9-5. The lead did not shrink to less than three despite neither team stringing together more than two points at a time for the remainder of the set. Outside hitter paved the way for the Lady Patriots with six kills.
 
The second set was much like the first. Trailing 9-10, DBU broke out by claiming six consecutive rallies. Both squads struggled to take control from the other, but the Lady Patriots prevailed thanks in part to Lauryn Burt, AJ Koele, and Leah Palensky, each of whom had five or more kills in the frame.
 
Set three copied the story from its two predecessors. DBU continued to share the offensive load as seven Lady Patriots registered a kill, including Sadie Washburn's first since September 3 against Wilmington. UAFS challenged late to get within two of DBU, 21-19, but DBU sealed the deal on a Phillips kill.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- DBU extends its winning streak to 11 matches, just 2 shy of tying the program record. The Lady Patriots have dropped only 1 set over the last 22.
- With Wednesday's victory, DBU reaches 20 wins for the first time since 2011.
- Abby Phillips led the Lady Patriots in kills for the 3rd time this year with 12.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
6 - Shaylee Shore's ace in the 1st set gives her 6 consecutive matches with at least 1. 
8 - Four Lady Patriots finished the evening with at least 8 kills (Delaney Fuller, AJ Koele, Lindsey Otero, and Phillips)
11 - Kenzie McNeill and Leah Palensky both had at least 11 digs.
 
JORDAN FISH ON DBU'S OFFENSE
"We have a great team when everyone on the court or coming off the bench is a go-to offensive weapon. I think our setter, Lauryn, did a great job in balancing the offense tonight, and I am proud of this team getting a sweep against a solid team on the road."
 
UP NEXT
DBU heads to Bethany, Oklahoma, for a match against Southern Nazarene. The Lady Patriots will face the Crimson Storm on Saturday at 2:00 pm.