CANYON, Texas – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball battled back to force a fifth set Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Lone Star Conference Tournament, but saw a lead in that final set slip away as the Lions lost a heartbreaker to second-seeded Dallas Baptist, 23-25, 15-25, 25-19, 25-22, 14-16.

The Lions carried over the momentum from winning sets three and four by using a 6-0 run to take an 8-2 lead in the decisive set. However, DBU chipped away with a pair of 4-0 runs to even the set at 12-12.

UAFS then took a 13-12 lead before the Patriots scored twice to get to match point. The Lions were able to hold off the first set point but the Patriots scored the next two points to take the match.

Trailing two sets to none, UAFS rallied from a 7-2 deficit in set three with a 5-0 burst that tied the set at 8-8. The Lions finally broke through by scoring six straight points to turn a 17-15 deficit into a 21-17 advantage. UAFS then scored the final three points of the set to keep the match alive.

The Lions led early in set four with a big run before DBU used a run of its own to pull back even at 9-9. A 7-1 UAFS run gave the Lions a 20-14 margin, but still had to hold off one more DBU rally, as the Patriots pulled within 23-22. However, a pair of DBU attack errors allowed the Lions to even the match.

UAFS held a lead of 20-15 in the opening set, but the Patriots evened the set by scoring five straight points. The Lions then scored the next two, but the Patriots scored the final four points for the 25-23 win.

Middle blocker Kaelyn McDonald provided a spark for the Lions offensively, tallying 10 kills on a .364 attack percentage. McDonald had four blocks, while fellow middle blocker Hannah Holland had five blocks.

Four Lions recorded double-doubles, as outside hitter Caelyn Gunn tallied 17 kills and 22 digs. Right-side hitter Reagan Macha added 11 kills and 12 digs, while setter Chloe Price had 27 assists and 13 digs. Setter Chloe Alderson had 18 assists and 10 digs.

Libero Lauren Weber dove all over the court to record 22 digs.

UAFS finishes its season at 16-14 overall.