The St. Edward’s University volleyball team’s season ended following its loss in the semifinal round of the Heartland Conference Tournament Friday.

The Hilltoppers took on the Dallas Baptist University Patriots at home Friday in hopes of advancing to the tournament championship against St. Mary’s University.

St. Edward’s had faced the Patriots two times this season. In September, the Patriots won 3-2; in October, the Hilltoppers needed just three sets to defeat Dallas Baptist.

“We knew it was going to be a battle, and they were going to come prepared to play us,” sophomore Meredith Bard said.

The chances of advancing to the championship game appeared promising after the first set, which the Hilltoppers won 25-15.

In the second set, Dallas Baptist came back to the court like a new team. The Patriots began the match with a 10-2 lead, and the Hilltoppers were never quite able to catch up. The Patriots won the set 25-20 to tie the match at one apiece.

The third set began with St. Edward’s and Dallas Baptist trading points until St. Edward’s broke away and gained five points in a row with the help of senior Ashley Vander Hey’s four kills.

St. Edward’s continued to lead the rest of the set and eventually won 25-18.

Dallas Baptist began the fourth set with a three-point lead. St. Edward’s came back with a six-point streak that featured kills by Bard and junior Lindy Luleff. The Hilltoppers had a six-point lead when the Patriots overcame the Hilltoppers late to win the set 25-23.

In the fifth set, which is supposed to be played to 15 points, neither team lead by more than three points. The set finally ended when Dallas Baptist won the two-point advantage at 23-21.

Dallas Baptist won the game 3-2 and went on to play St. Mary’s, who ended up beating them 3-1 in the final game of the tournament.

“We left everything we had on the court with no regrets,” Bard said.