DLB sophomore middle hitter Krysta Berard tosses the ball in the air during the third set of Monday afternoon's Region 6 contest against TGU. The Lakers defeated the Titans by set scores of 25-8, 25-21, 25-21 at the Minot Municipal Auditorium. Jimmy Lafakis/MDN

Des Lacs-Burlington head coach Tarra Hysjulien warned the Lakers about Towner/Granville/Upham.

District 12 No. 2 DLB (27-10) heeded the coach’s advice, earning a 25-8, 25-21, 25-21 win over District 11 No. 3 TGU (20-9) in Monday’s second Region 6 Tournament first-round contest at the Minot Municipal Auditorium.

Although the Lakers earned a 3-0 victory over the Titans on Oct. 24, postseason volleyball can present an entirely different set of challenges.

“We had an idea of what to expect,” Hysjulien said. “But we talked about how this is a regional. You’re in a tournament now. People play differently in the postseason. I think we had a ‘let’s win and move on’ type of feeling rather than a ‘full intensity’ type of feeling.”

After DLB took an early 10-5 advantage, the Lakers found another gear. The Titans called a timeout after falling behind 16-5.

The Lakers never looked back, surging to their 25-8 victory in the initial set.

“Regionals is exciting,” Hysjulien said. “It brings nerves for some teams. They maybe had a few more nerves than we did early on. We capitalized on that, but credit to TGU. They definitely didn’t let that just be their way. They came and they really served tough in those next two (sets). They definitely put us out of system.”

The second two sets were much more topsy-turvy. The Lakers couldn’t quite find the same rhythm, allowing the Titans back into the action.

Three consecutive aces granted the Titans a 15-13 lead, but DLB eventually found its groove.

“We could have talked more,” said junior outside hitter Zoey Reed, who posted a team-high eight kills. “We could have been more excited.”

Reed’s big swings at the net gave DLB a late advantage. Although the third set was quite similar to its predecessor, the Lakers secured another 25-21 victory.

A strong DLB student contingent greeted the Lakers after the final point.

“The (fans) help us a lot,” Reed said. “When they cheer and it’s not quiet, it really helps us out.”

DLB senior outside hitter Kayli Olson posted seven kills, while sophomore middle hitter Krysta Berard added six. Junior setter Addyson Hughes handed out a match-high 19 assists for the Lakers.

Hughes and Berard served three aces apiece, while Berard also contributed three blocks. TGU senior middle hitter Jaidyn Brummond tallied a match-high four aces.

The result proved to be emotional for TGU, as six seniors saw their high school volleyball careers end: Brummond, Neeleigh Wollenzien, Mackenzie Woodall, Grace Schmitt, Sidney Keller and Dawson Neshem.

After the match, several Titans embraced with hugs outside of the locker room.

“They’re a really special group,” TGU head coach Erica Hjelmstad said. “Last year, we ended the season not making out of our district. I told them to hold onto that feeling so that they didn’t have to feel that this season. That was a key as the season went along. They had drive, they had purpose. They kept winning.”

DLB will meet District 11 No. 1 seed Rugby in today’s first regional semifinal. The Lakers and Panthers will square off at 6 p.m. at the Auditorium.

“We’re ready to advance, move forward and get ready for the next game,” Hysjulien said. “When you have a lot of big games in a short period of time, you don’t necessarily know what intensity you will bring from night to night. It’s definitely something that we want to be more consistent with.”

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.