THE RUNDOWN
Saturday afternoon, DBU (7-2, 0-0 LSC) defeated Western New Mexico (6-5, 0-0 LSC) in straight sets to conclude the 2026 Lone Star Conference Challenge. The Patriots played six sets this weekend and won each of them, and will enter conference play on a four-game winning streak.
Karly Wells led everyone on the floor with 14 kills in a game in which DBU's three leading attackers finished with a hitting percentage above .300.
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Wells logged her first six kills of the afternoon in the opening frame, a back-and-forth set that saw six lead changes early on. The Patriots took a 12-11 lead on a momentous block from
Avery Keck and
Aizlyn Dewberry, and rode that wave to a set one victory (25-23).
Reagan Fifer's third kill of the day ended the first set.
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The Patriots played their most dominant set of the season in the second frame, dominating the Mustangs to the tune of a 25-13 score. Leading 11-8, DBU rattled off five consecutive points to create separation on the scoreboard, a run that featured two blocks and a kill from
Kalin Hubbard.
Paityn Winters' second ace of the set gave the Patriots their 25th point.
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DBU once again took the court and dominated Western New Mexico in the third and final set, not allowing the Mustangs to hold any lead. Although they were out-killed (11-8), the Patriots outperformed WNMU in aces (4-1), blocks (4-3), and committed three fewer service errors (4-1). The Patriots are firing on all cylinders, and at the right time– as Lone Star Conference play begins on Tuesday.
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KALIN HUBBARD ON THIS YEAR'S GROUP
"I'm most excited about the grit that this team brings to the table, and we're super excited to showcase our talents and abilities in conference play."
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THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The Patriots are off to their best start through nine games (7-2) since the 2022 season (7-2).
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Reagan Fifer has turned in three consecutive games with a hitting percentage of .400 or more (.545 today).
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Paityn Winters set a new career-high with three service aces this afternoon.
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS
4 - The Patriots are riding a four-game winning streak (won 12 of the last 14 sets).
9 - DBU finished one ace shy of their third consecutive double-digit ace performance.
12 - The front row turned in its fourth double-digit block performance of the season (12 today).
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UP NEXT
The Patriots will open Lone Star Conference play on the road against Texas A&M International (5-5, 0-0 LSC) on Tuesday night. That contest is scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm.
