THE RUNDOWN
Thursday afternoon saw DBU (2) come from behind to defeat UT Dallas (7) to advance to the second round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament. The Patriots were down two sets to none, then stormed back to reverse-sweep the Comets and extend their winning streak to eight.
Karly Wells took over, posting a season-high 29 kills on 70 attacks, leading everyone in both categories. Freshman
Claire Conner posted a double-double with 14 kills and 15 digs, plus an ace, in DBU's first-round victory.
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Set one was back and forth all the way to its completion, as the two teams were knotted up a whopping 11 times in the opening frame. After the score was tied at 21, 22, and 23, deuce play seemed inevitable. The Comets would eliminate any thought of a marathon set, taking the next two rallies to win set one 25-23.
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UT Dallas' defensive efforts were enough to take control of set two, posting four blocks en route to holding DBU to a .022 hitting percentage. The Comets took the lead at 14-13 as part of a six-point run, and wound up taking the set 25-20.
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In the process of staring game point in the eyes four separate times late in the third, the Patriots continually had their backs flat against the wall, facing elimination from the LSC Tournament. In a set that featured 18 ties and seven lead changes, DBU pulled every ounce of momentum onto their side of the court as
Lauren Witte put down a kill that made the score 28-26.
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Sets four and five were unapologetically dominant. The Patriots held UTD to a .067 hitting percentage in both frames, while DBU combined to post an elite .350 clip. The Patriots outscored the Comets 40-25 in the final two frames, riding smooth sailing to a five-set, reverse-sweep victory when
Karly Wells' 29th kill hit the ground.
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THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- In each of their last eight games, DBU has held their opponent to a sub-.200 hitting percentage (.140 today).
- This afternoon was the Patriots' first reverse-sweep victory since September 16, 2023 (Texas A&M International).
- With a win tomorrow, DBU will win their season-best ninth consecutive game.
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS
1562.5 -
Karly Wells' program-leading career point total (29 today).
8 - The Patriots have won eight consecutive games.
64 - 64 kills is the second-most DBU has recorded in a game this season (70- Texas A&M International).
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UP NEXT
The Patriots (2) will take on Texas A&M-Kingsville (6) in the second round of the LSC Tournament. Friday's matchup is scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM.
