THE RUNDOWN
Friday night, DBU (2-1, 0-0 LSC) fell to No. 7-ranked Nebraska-Kearney (2-1, 0-0 MIAA) in straight sets, as the Patriots suffered their first defeat of the 2026 campaign. Though DBU recorded 13 blocks for just the second time since the start of the 2025 season, it wouldn't be enough, as the Lopers silenced the same Patriot attack that had cruised through Colorado Mesa earlier in the day.
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Set one was the closest of the three. After nine lead changes, the two teams were knotted up at 23 late in the frame. Kearney would win the next two rallies, winning both the set and a heap of momentum.
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The second set, much like the first, had its back-and-forth moments early. There were five lead changes exchanged, but once Kearney earned a 12-11 advantage, they wouldn't relinquish it. The Lopers would earn their 25th point on a momentous block, taking a 2-0 lead.
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After falling behind 9-5, the Patriots trailed Kearney by four or five points for the majority of the third set. But, anchored by six total blocks in the third set, DBU would come back and find themselves trailing 20-19 late in the set. At that point, however, the Lopers would stop the Patriot rally and embark on a 5-1 run of their own, cementing the sweep.
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THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Despite being swept, the Patriots finished this game with only a -12 set point differential.
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Reagan Fifer led all Patriots with a .368 hitting percentage (eight kills).
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Aizlyn Dewberry is up to 15 total blocks this season through three games (eight tonight).
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS
5 - The last time
Karly Wells posted five or more total blocks in a game was on September 13, 2024 (Central Missouri, 6).
.000 - Nebraska-Kearney managed to hold DBU's outside hitter duo of Wells and Witte to a .000 combined hitting percentage.
8 - Through three contests,
Zoe Gun has yet to go a full game without recording an ace (eight aces).
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UP NEXT
The Lady Patriots will take on Mississippi Christian (0-3) Saturday afternoon to conclude the Dallas Classic. Coverage will begin at 10:00 am on FloCollege as the Choctaws take on Nebraska-Kearney to begin the day.
