Game Information
Score: Arkansas Fort Smith 3, Lubbock Christian 0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-23)
Records: Lubbock Christian (5-6, 0-1 Heartland), Arkansas Fort Smith (5-5, 1-0 Heartland)
Location: Rip Griffin Center – Lubbock, Texas
 
Highlights
 
For the second time ever, LCU lost a conference opener. They fell 3-0 to UAFS, which ended a 10-game home win streak (2-1 at home this season). It was LCU's first conference opening loss since 2006. They are now 3-1 in Heartland Conference openers and 12-2 in conference openers under head coach Jennifer Lawrence.  
 
How It Happened
 
Set One
LCU was held to seven kills in the opening set, as UAFS had a .333 attack percentage on the other side of the net. The Lady Chaps had an 8-4 lead before UAFS went on a 17-2 run. Merrisa Murphy had six kills in the set.  
 
Set Two
Lauren Zoller had five kills for LCU in the second set and LCU produced 15 kills in the set, but the set that included 10 ties and four lead changes was decided on a late rally by the Lions. UAFS, trailing 21-20, took advantage of LCU mistakes with four of five points coming on LCU errors and a 5-2 run gave UAFS the set 25-23.
 
Set Three
Kennedi Coleman, who had seven kills in the second set for the Lions, had nine of the Lions 13 kills in the third set. LCU led 20-10 in the set, but let it slip away on a 15-3 UAFS run for a Lions 25-23 set win. UAFS had six team blocks in the set (Shannon Thompson had four blocks). Emily Tripp had 19 digs for UAFS and Mallory Powell had 10 for LCU in the set.
  
Inside the Numbers:
 
26-23 – Mallory Powell had a double-double for LCU with 26 assists and 23 digs, leading the team in each category.
12 – LCU's kills leader, Emily Hanaway, was held to a -.083 attack percentage with eight kills and 12 errors.
16 – UAFS produced 16 team blocks in the match (Payton Hamilton had 10).
 
Up Next:
The Lady Chaps remain home Saturday hosting Newman at noon in a Heartland Conference contest. LCU is having a Leukemia Awareness Orange Out and are encouraging fans to wear orange.