THE RUNDOWN
Thursday afternoon, DBU (3-2, 0-0 LSC) fell to No. 11 Point Loma (2-2, 0-0 PacWest) in straight sets to begin the Patriots' time at the 2026 San Diego Invite. Despite being swept, DBU finished each set within five points of the Sea Lions, making one of the nation's top teams work to win each frame.
Karly Wells led the Patriots with ten kills on a .241 hitting percentage, anchoring an attack that increased in efficiency as the night went on.
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DBU was held to a .139 hitting percentage in the first set, their lowest mark of the night, but it wouldn't keep them from holding a late lead in the opening frame. After trailing by as much as six points in the first set, the Patriots clawed back to tie the game at 16, before eventually holding a 19-17 advantage. However, after a Point Loma timeout, the Sea Lions would embark on an 8-3 run and take set one 25-22. Â
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The Patriots' attack was much more efficient in the second set, turning in a .214 hitting percentage, besting Point Loma's .182 clip. The Sea Lions would make up for their attack errors on the baseline, however, as a whopping five aces would propel their offense to another set victory, this time winning 25-23. A kill from the right hand of
Avery Keck would give DBU a 21-20 lead in the second frame, but Point Loma rose to stun the Patriots with a 5-1 stretch to win set two.
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Wells and
Reagan Fifer led the charge with four kills each in the third frame, leading the Patriots to a game-high .357 hitting percentage, but it still wasn't enough. Despite the advantage in offensive efficiency, once DBU fell behind 5-4 in the third set, they were unable to regain the lead. The Sea Lions utilized ten aces and five total blocks across three frames to make up for their offensive inefficiencies, sweeping the Patriots on day one of the San Diego Invite.
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THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- .357 is the highest hitting percentage DBU has posted in a losing set thus far into the season.
- Taking aces and errors from both teams into account, Point Loma earned a 6-point swing on the baseline tonight.
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Avery Keck posted a season-high six kills this evening.
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS
4 - Setters
Zoe Gun and
Paityn Winters combined for four kills on five attempts.
.308 - Right side hitter
Reagan Fifer has already posted a .300 hitting percentage or higher four times this season (7/13, 3 errors tonight).
6 - Libero
Olivia Clayton posted a season-high six assists tonight. She also contributed nine digs.
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UP NEXT
The Patriots will continue their time in San Diego, as they get set to take on Colorado Christian (3-1) Friday night. That contest is scheduled to start at 5:00 pm CST.
