THE RUNDOWN
Thursday afternoon, DBU (1-0, 0-0 LSC) outlasted Biola (0-1, 0-0 PacWest) in a grueling five-set thriller to open the 2026 season. Anchored by a career day from
Lauren Witte, the Patriots took sets one, two, and five en route to an opening-day win. Witte began her sophomore campaign with a high-flying 20-20 performance—recording 21 kills and 27 digs—both of which led the team.
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DBU jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead in the first set, a stretch that featured kills from three different Patriots, a block, and the first ace of
Zoe Gun's tenure in red, white, and blue. The Eagles were unable to match DBU's output, as the Patriots took set one dominantly, 25-17.
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The contest played more evenly in the second set, as there were a whopping ten lead changes before a set winner was crowned. DBU posted a team-best 15 kills in the second frame, as three different Patriots recorded at least three tallies: Witte led the way with six, followed by
Karly Wells' four, and
Reagan Fifer's three. Trailing 24-23 late, DBU would go on to record three consecutive points—kills by Wells, Fifer, and Witte—to win set two, 26-24.
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Biola would storm back to take the next two sets, forcing a fifth and final frame. The Eagles posted hitting percentages of .375 and .325, while holding the Patriots to marks of .297 and .081 in sets three and four.
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The fifth set would begin similarly, as the Eagles jumped out to a 4-0 lead. DBU would go on to take a 9-8 lead as Witte took over the game, earning three kills and two service aces on the group's 9-4 run. With the game knotted at 14, Fifer and Witte posted consecutive kills to give the Patriots a 16-14 win in the all-decisive set five.
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THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- DBU has now won four consecutive opening day games.
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Lauren Witte's 21 kills and 27 digs are both career-high marks.
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Zoe Gun recorded four service aces in her DBU debut.
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS
4 - Coach
Jordan Fish is now four wins removed from her 100th career victory (96-46).
.500 -
Aizlyn Dewberry led all qualified attackers with a .500 hitting percentage. She posted six kills on twelve swings with zero errors.
2 - Going back to the 2025 season, tonight's win snapped a two-game losing skid.
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UP NEXT
The Lady Patriots will take on Colorado Mesa (1-0) and No. 7-ranked Nebraska-Kearney (0-1) Friday as the Dallas Classic continues. Coverage from The Burg Center will begin at 9:00 am as Mississippi Christian takes on Biola.
