STEPHENVILLE – Hot starts in all three sets helped No. 22 Tarleton cruise past Dallas Baptist in a Lone Star Conference divisional sweep Friday night.
Tarleton jumped out to an incredible start. Amber Strange blasted a kill shot on the opening volley and the Texans followed up with six more behind it to build a 7-0 lead. Over that stretch, Tarleton scored on the Strange kill, three Patriot errors, combo blocks from Amari Franklin and Lauren Kersey, and an ace from Adriana Darthuy to cap the run.
Dallas Baptist rallied back, however, to pull as close as one at 23-22 but Tarleton answered with a kill from Kersey and a kill from Carmen Kinsey to close out the opening set 25-22.
The second set started with the teams splitting the first four points, but an attack error from the Patriots opened the door for a dominant Tarleton run. The Texans responded with a 13-2 run to build a 15-4 lead in the set. Tarleton went on to score 10 of the next 19 points in the set to close it out 25-13.
Tarleton took control of the final set with another early run. Carmen Kinsey landed the opening point of the set and the Texans built a 6-1 lead over the opening seven volleys. The Texans cruised to a win in the set while the Patriots got no closer than four points at 6-2.
Amber Strange and Tatyana Tuialii-Umi led the way offensively with seven kills each while Natalya Chatham and Sofia Tonga boasted six kills apiece. Chatham’s came on a team-high .625 hitting percentage.
Amari Franklin dished out a team-high 21 assists while Kayla Brannon added 12 of her own. Michaela Rodriguez (15) and Adriana Darthuy (13) combined for 28 digs.
Tarleton will travel to Dallas tomorrow for a rematch with the Patriots on their home court at 1 p.m.
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