OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 25, 2021) – Oklahoma Christian nearly staged what would have been a second incredible comeback in as many days, fighting off seven match points – including five in the final set – on Saturday afternoon against Dallas Baptist (Texas).

But Dallas Baptist managed to hang on for a 3-2 (22-25, 25-17, 25-22, 24-26, 15-12) win over OC in the Eagles' Nest in the first meeting between the Lone Star Conference foes since OC revived its volleyball program with the spring 2021 season.

The shorthanded Eagles – down to one healthy setter for this weekend – learned a lot about overcoming adversity during a 3-1 win on Friday over Texas Woman's, in which they wiped out five set points for TWU in the second set to even the match before winning.

On Saturday against DBU (3-1, 2-1 LSC), the Eagles rallied from a 17-11 first-set deficit to win it 25-22. The Patriots took the next two sets, though, and OC (5-7, 1-3) soon found itself down 24-22 in the fourth set, facing two match points. Three attack errors by the Patriots, though, put OC up 25-22 and an ace by Brylie Berryman won the set for the Eagles and evened the match.

In the shorter (to 15 points) fifth set, OC fell behind 3-0, then rallied to tie it at 5-5 before the Patriots went on a 9-2 run. Up 14-7, Dallas Baptist had seven more match points, but the Eagles kept fighting. Kyla Chavez – normally a defensive specialist, who went all of the way as OC's setter – recorded a kill to start the rally. After an attack error by DBU, Hannah Rouse and Kelsie Schiefelbein had a block, and the Patriots then were called for a bad set. After a kill by Yolaine Lopez, OC had fought back to within 14-12.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, their run ended when Halee Van Poppel put down a kill to give the Patriots the win. Van Poppel had 18 kills and 25 digs to lead Dallas Baptist, which had a team attack percentage of .207.

OC posted a .182 attack percentage, led by Allyssa Hamlin, who had 13 kills and 11 digs. Morgan Demuth and Lopez each had 11 kills for the Eagles, while Chavez had 38 assists and 12 digs. Berryman led OC in digs with 22.

"We have our setters out and have a DS in that spot," OC coach Jason Skoch said. "We are fighting and working hard. We need to learn how to finish. That is our crux right now. We cannot fault the effort at all."

The Eagles will return to the LSC road next week to face two of the league's top teams – Texas-Tyler on Friday and Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday. OC's next home match will be Oct. 5 against nonconference foe Northwestern Oklahoma State.