DALLAS, TEXAS – UT Tyler volleyball closed out the regular season Saturday afternoon with a 3-1 loss to DBU at the Burg Center, but the Patriots secured the No. 3 seed for the Lone Star Conference Tournament after putting together the program's most successful regular season since joining NCAA Division II.
The Patriots finish the regular season with a 22-5 overall record and a 13-4 mark in Lone Star Conference play. UT Tyler will travel to San Angelo for the conference tournament, where it will open postseason play against No. 6 seed Texas A&M-Kingsville.
DBU took the opening set 25-18 before the Patriots responded with a 25-19 victory in the second to even the match. The Patriots were unable to carry that momentum through the final two sets, as the DBU claimed a 25-21 win in the third and closed out the match with a 25-19 decision in the fourth.
UT Tyler battled throughout the opening set, overcoming an early deficit to pull within 12-9 after a stretch of points highlighted by a kill from Kailey Manes and a service ace from Anna Arceneaux. The Patriots continued to work back into the set, but DBU created separation late and took the opener 25-18.
The Patriots answered with their strongest stretch of the afternoon in the second set. UT Tyler opened with a 3-0 lead and continued to apply pressure after DBU pulled even. The teams traded points before the Patriots used a late run to create separation. Riley Clinton delivered a service ace, while the UT Tyler defense came up with several key blocks to help build a 23-17 advantage. The Patriots closed out the set 25-19 to even the match at one set apiece.
DBU regained control in the third, building an early advantage and using a strong stretch of serving and defense to extend its lead. UT Tyler continued to battle, with Merrill and Manes providing kills during a late push, but the Lady Patriots held on for a 25-21 win to move back in front.
The fourth set saw DBU jump out to an early lead and maintain control throughout. UT Tyler made a late push, with Makhai Lewis and Merrill contributing kills as the Patriots worked to close the gap. DBU ultimately finished the set 25-19 to secure the four-set victory.
Merrill led the Patriots with 13 kills, while Manes and Maya Jones each finished with 10. Lewis added four kills and led UT Tyler with 10 total blocks, including one solo block and nine block assists. Clinton recorded 37 assists and six digs, while Arceneaux paced the Patriots with 13 digs. Caroline Ashley added 11 digs, and Kaitlyn Davis finished with eight.
UT Tyler finished the match with 48 kills and a .185 hitting percentage, while DBU recorded 54 kills and hit .248. The Patriots totaled 57 digs and 12 blocks in the contest.
Despite Saturday's result, the Patriots close the regular season with a program milestone, recording the most regular-season victories since making the move to NCAA Division II. UT Tyler now turns its attention to the Lone Star Conference Tournament and a postseason matchup with Texas A&M-Kingsville.
The No. 3-seeded Patriots will take on the No. 6-seeded Javelinas in San Angelo as they begin their pursuit of a conference championship.
