THE RUNDOWN

Friday night in Austin saw the DBU Lady Patriots (10-5, 4-1) dominate St. Edward's to the tune of a sweep (25-16, 27-25, 25- 21), for their tenth win of the 2024 campaign. After losing the first point of the match, DBU wouldn't trail again until the third set; showing this group's ability to control a game for multiple sets at a time. Freshman Carmen Harless would briefly leave the contest in the second set to get her right arm treated, following a hard landing on an outstanding attempt to save a rally. Harless would return later in the contest.

The Lady Patriot offense posted 45 kills in tonight's three sets as Aryn Walton put on a clinic, spreading the ball to all the offensive weapons at her disposal. Six different Lady Patriots recorded a kill tonight and no attacker had less than four. Walton herself would post three from the setter position. Karly Wells led the troops in kills with 12, followed closely by Delaney Fuller's total of 11. DBU's middle blockers have seen an increase in volume as the season has progressed, and tonight was no different as Lindsey Otero and Shaylee Shore combined for 15 kills (seven, eight). 

DBU received a great deal of offensive contribution from behind the baseline, as the group totaled nine aces on the evening. Carmen Harless, even with the time she missed due to an injury, led the group with three aces. Her first of the night slapped a bow on the first set, as she painted the right line to conclude a dominant frame for her group. Jenna McMichael and Delaney Fuller would tack on two aces of their own throughout tonight's contest. With her aces added to her kill total, Fuller would lead the team in points with 13.0. 

The Lady Patriots will do battle with St. Mary's (12-4, 4-1) on Saturday afternoon. St. Mary's had a seven-game winning streak spoiled Friday night, as they fell to UT Tyler in five sets at home. Both teams will carry a 4-1 conference record into this match, meaning Saturday afternoon's affair will hold more significance than a typical conference match-up.
 

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

- DBU is now 3-2 against St Edward's in the Jordan Fish era.

- Saturday's contest against UT Tyler will conclude a three-game road trip.

- The Lady Patriots out-killed St. Edward's by four on Friday night (45-41) while being out-attacked (110-118).

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

+15 - DBU's set point differential in their sweep of the Lady Hilltoppers.

5 - Different Lady Patriots notched an ace in this contest.

31 - Combined total kills for Fuller, Wells, and Shore.

UP NEXT

The Lady Patriots will travel to San Antonio, Texas to take on St. Mary's (12-4, 4-1) Saturday afternoon.