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Dallas
Pulse Hold Off Atlanta Vibe in Five,
Push
Winning Streak to Seven
FRISCO, Texas, March 26, 2026.- The Dallas PULSE (15-5) leaned on
its depth to secure a five-set win (26-28, 25-19, 25-19, 25-27,
15-8) over the Atlanta Vibe (8-10) on Thursday night at Comerica
Center, extending its winning streak to seven matches.
Outside hitter Mimi Colyer led all scorers with 32 points and 27
kills on a .375 clip, adding three aces, two blocks, one assist, and
10 digs for her fifth double-double of the season. Her 32 points are
tied for the third-most in a match in Major League Volleyball
history and mark the highest total in a match this season. Outside
hitter Sofia Maldonado Diaz recorded 20 points behind 16 kills,
adding four blocks, one assist, and 16 digs for a double-double. Pin
hitter Kaylee Cox contributed 16 points with 12 kills, three blocks,
one ace, one assist, and 10 digs for a double-double. Playing out of
position at middle blocker, opposite Kelsie Payne, totaled 10 points
with six kills on a .294 efficiency, six digs, four blocks, and one
assist. Middle blocker Karson Bacon scored seven points, with four
kills, three blocks, two digs, and an assist in her first start of
the season. Setter Natalia Valentin-Anderson recorded her 16th
double-double of the season with 49 assists and 22 digs.
Atlanta was led by outside hitter Pia Timmer, who finished with 18
points on 16 kills, two aces, and 11 digs for a double-double.
Middle blocker Phoebe Awoleye added 14 points (10 kills, three
blocks), while opposite Anna Dixon recorded 10 kills. Outside hitter
Madolyn Isringhausen and opposite Aiko Jones posted seven kills
each. Middle blockers Jackie Moore and Maggie Mendelson finished
with five and four kills, respectively. Setter Averi Carlson totaled
48 assists and 22 digs for a double-double.
Despite losing middle blocker Layne Van Buskirk to injury in the
opening set, Dallas built a 19-14 lead before Atlanta responded with
a 5-0 run to tie the frame. The teams exchanged seven ties and
multiple lead changes down the stretch before consecutive kills from
Jones gave Atlanta the 1-0 advantage.
Dallas answered in the second, breaking a 7-7 tie and pulling away
for a 25-19 win. The PULSE adjusted offensively, with Payne shifting
to the middle and recording four of the team’s five blocks in the
frame.
Atlanta opened the third set with momentum and led 16-14 at the
media break. After two ties and a lead change, a kill from Payne
gave Dallas the edge at 18-17 and put Colyer at the service line,
where she sparked a decisive run with two aces and two kills to push
the PULSE ahead, 22-17. Dallas allowed just two more points before
closing it out, 25-19.
The
fourth set remained tight early before Dallas used a successful
challenge to take an 18-16 lead and extend it to 24-19. Atlanta
responded with an 8-1 run, capitalizing on a Dallas error to take
the set and force a fifth.
In
the deciding frame, Dallas controlled the tempo from the start,
closing out a 15-8 win to secure the match.
The
PULSE will face the Rise in Grand Rapids at 6 pm CT on April 3 for
the fourth meeting this season. Atlanta returns home for a pair of
matches in downtown Atlanta at Georgia State Convocation Center on
April 2 and 4. |
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