THE RUNDOWN
DBU fell to Texas A&M-Kingsville Friday night at the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center, 3-1. The loss marks the Lady Patriots' first Lone Star Conference loss.
The two squads played a tight opening frame. The score was even on nine occasions, as neither side pulled ahead by more than three points until DBU (13-5, 6-1) pieced together four straight to go up 22-17. The Javelinas (11-6, 3-2) made a late push, but the Lady Patriots held on to walk out of the first set with a 1-0 lead.
The two sides traded trio and quarters of points early in set two. The momentum favored DBU for a moment when the Lady Patriots went ahead on a 5-1 stretch, 15-12, and TAMUK answered with a run of its own to move in front 18-17. Four rallies later, DBU needed four more to take the frame, but the Javelinas forced deuce play and evened the set count.
The Javelinas separated themselves quickly in the third with a 10-3 start.
Delaney Fuller executed five kills, and
Daylee Doggett logged seven digs. Nonetheless, the Lady Patriots found themselves with their backs against the wall entering an important fourth set.
DBU initiated frame four with a 6-2 run. The Lady Patriots sustained their narrow advantage until TAMUK tied the score at 16. From there, the Javelinas took control, finishing the set on a 9-4 stint to earn the win.
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Friday night's loss snaps DBU's seven-match win streak.
- The match featured 26 ties and 18 lead changes.
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Delaney Fuller led the Lady Patriots with 18 kills and 21.0 points on .234 hitting.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
8 - DBU dotted eight or more aces for the eighth time this season.
10 - Ten of the 13 Lady Patriots who played on Friday night recorded a dig.
20 -
Daylee Doggett (23 digs) recorded her seventh match of the year with at least 20 digs.
HEAD COACH JORDAN FISH ON HOW SHE EXPECTS DBU TO RESPOND TO THE LOSS
"We have a gritty team, and a loss does not change that. I know we will respond tomorrow and be ready to go to battle."
UP NEXT
The Lady Patriots venture to Laredo, Texas, to take on Texas A&M International tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.
