Match Information
Score: Lubbock Christian 3, St. Edward's 2 (25-18, 25-20, 16-25, 19-25, 15-12)
Records: Lubbock Christian (10-16, 7-5), SEU (15-10, 6-5)
Location: Recreation and Convocation Center - Austin, Texas
  
Highlights
Lubbock Christian University took the scenic route towards clinching a Heartland Conference Tournament berth, but holding on to a 2-0 match lead with a 3-2 match win helped LCU clinch a berth and they also claimed the No.3-seed by winning the regular season finale Saturday. LCU completed the task despite a triple-double from SEU's Kate Hendrix, who posted 15 kills, 14 digs and 10 blocks. The Hilltoppers also produced a double-double from Julia Hartley (25 assists, 15 digs) and a match high 22 kills from Katie Martin.  LCU was backed by a 20-kill performance from Channing Stewart (her second match of at least 20 kills this season) and double-doubles by Brynn Warnack (40 assists, 17 digs) and Karley David (18 digs, 13 assists). LCU also received a career high 13 kills from Jaiden Kennedy.
 
How It Happened
  
Set One:
LCU found a rhythym early in the match with a quality first set. The Lady Chaps fought off a minor SEU rally, as the Hilltoppers overcame a 10-6 deficit with a 5-1 rally to tie the set 11-11.  Despite the efforts, LCU never relinquished the lead outscoring SEU 14-5 the rest of the way to win the set 25-18. The run included a 7-0 LCU run filled with a trio of Brynn Warnack aces and athletic digs from Kelsie French. Avery Moore was a staple for LCU in the set with four kills. Katie Martin led SEU with five kills
  
Set Two:
LCU fell behind 9-6 to open the second set, but Jaiden Kennedy produced a kill to rally them to tie the set at 9-9. Teams would trade points and would get knotted up at 14-14 prior to LCU surging for six of the next 10 points to take a 20-18 lead. LCU would go on a 5-2 run from there, capped with an Emilly Hanaway kill to claim the set 25-20. Channing Stewart led all players with seven kills and Karley David had eight digs for LCU.  
 
Set Three:
LCU jumped out 4-2 to open the third set, but SEU made sure to change the match's tone with a 6-2 run. They gained confidence off the run and eventually closed the set on an 11-2 run to break a 14-14 tie and win the set 25-16. Katie Hendrix had a monstrous set with nine kills in the set for SEU. Stewart led LCU in the set with four kills and French provided eight digs. Despite the wide margin, the set featured six lead changes.
 
Set Four:
The Lady Chaps trailed through the start of the fourth set, falling behind as much as 12-7 after Kate Hendrix and Nicole Peters teamed together for a pair of blocks for SEU. LCU responded with a kill from Kennedy to climb back with a 8-3 run to cut SEU's lead to 15-14. It is as close as LCU would get, as SEU answered with a 9-2 run to extend their lead to 23-16. They forced a fifth set with a 25-19 set win. French led LCU with 10 digs in the set and Camille Porco led LCU in the set with four kills. Martin provided the Hilltoppers eight kills in the frame.
 
Set Five:
LCU never trailed in the decisive fifth set, but SEU was on their heels most of the set. LCU led 8-5 at the change after a kill by Kennedy and led as much as 10-6 before SEU attempted a comeback. Hendrix and Peters teamed up again for another block to force LCU into a timeout leading 12-11. They responded with Stewart producing a pair of kills to claim the set 15-12 and the set 3-2. Kennedy (LCU) and Martin (SEU) each led their squads with four kills in the set.
 
Inside the Numbers:
4 – Brynn Warnack produced a career high four aces in the match, matching a season high by a Lady Chaps member this season.
7-1 – Thursday, LCU suffered their first match loss when winning the opening set.  They bounced back Saturday winning the match after winning the opening set3-3 – LCU improved to 3-3 in five-set matches. It was their first 3-2 match win on the road.
12-of-13 – The win provided LCU their 12 win over SEU in their last 13 matches. LCU is 12-5 all-time against SEU.
20 – The match marked the third time this season a Lady Chaps match featured the combination of 20 blocks. SEU had 12 blocks, with a 10-block performance by Kate Hendrix to complete a triple-double. LCU's Camille Porco led LCU with a season high six blocks.
102 – LCU topped their season high of 99 digs from Thursday with a new season high of 102 Saturday. They are the most since posting 111 on Nov. 18, 2016 against St. Edward's. Kelsie French contributed a match high 36 digs for her third consecutive match with at least 30 digs.
 
Up Next:
With LCU clinching a berth to the Heartland Conference Tournament, LCU has clinched their third trip to the tournament and doing so in each season they have been eligible since moving from NAIA to NCAA Div. II. Arkansas - Fort Smith will host the four-team tournament and LCU will play St. Mary's at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 inside Stubblefield Center.