Dallas Baptist University Athletics

THE RUNDOWN
The second-seeded Lady Patriots (25-5, 14-2 LSC) took down the number three seed, Texas A&M International (23-8, 13-3 LSC) in the semifinals of the Lone Star Conference Tournament on Friday in Canyon, Texas. The win sets a new program record for wins in a season at 25.
 
The first set was all offense and tight throughout. Trailing DBU by four, 13-9, the Dustdevils scored the next 8 points to take a 4-point lead of their own. TAMIU did not look back after the pivotal run and staved off the Lady Patriots from completing a comeback. Neither defense could slow the other's offense as both squads with over .350 in the frame.
 
The match stayed competitive in set two. Both teams struggled to score in bunches in no small part due to a pair of offenses that hit below .200. Down 15-14, an attack error by Mackenzie Catalina and back-to-back service aces by Lexy Pettitte initiated an 11-4 run that claimed the set for DBU.
 
Like its two predecessors, the third frame was close through its first half. Facing a one-point deficit, DBU found wave and rode it out. Three blocks and kills by a handful of Lady Patriots closed the frame with 15-6 stretch in favor of DBU. 
 
The momentum carried over into set four. The Lady Patriots won the first seven rallies of the frame and kept the petal to the metal. AJ Koele and Abby Phillips both slammed at least five kills in a dominant set for DBU.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- With 25 wins, the Lady Patriots break 2008's 24 triumphs for the most victories in a season.
- DBU advances to the LSC finals for the first time ever and makes its first appearance in the final round of a conference tournament since 2013.
- Lauryn Burt earned her 4th straight double-double and her 6th in the last 7 matches. She now has 11 double-doubles on the year.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
.200 - For the 5th consecutive match, DBU held its opponent to sub-.200 hitting.
7 - Shaylee Shore registered a season-high 7 combined solo and assisted blocks.
17 - Abby Phillips led the Lady Patriots with 17 kills on .341 hitting.
 
JORDAN FISH ON THE TEAM'S CHEMISTRY
"Our team chemistry, I think, is what makes us so strong.…Honestly, we just play at a deeper level, I think. We do Bible studies together, and I think they really believe…this is a sisterhood. And we are pursuing [championships] for Christ. And I think that makes it selfless and just creates a really good, deeper level of chemistry that I'm seeing really shine through in the postseason."
 
UP NEXT
DBU will face the winner of UT Tyler versus West Texas A&M in the Lone Star Conference Tournament championship match on Saturday. First serve is at 4:00 pm in Canyon.
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