Match 1 Information (11 a.m. - Central)
Score: No.10, Rockhurst 3, Lubbock Christian 0 (25-19, 29-11, 25-19)
Records: Rockhurst (1-0, 0-0 Great Lakes Valley), Lubbock Christian (0-1, 0-0 Heartland)
Location: WTAMU Fieldhouse – Canyon, Texas
 
Match 2 Information (3:30 p.m. - Central)
Score: Lubbock Christian 3, Emporia State (25-19, 25-15, 20-25, 25-21)
Records: Emporia State (1-1, 0-0 MIAA), Lubbock Christian (1-1, 0-0 Heartland)
Location: WTAMU Fieldhouse – Canyon, Texas
 
Highlights
 
LCU opened the 2018 season with a split of their two tilts, as they opened with a 3-0 loss to No.10 Rockhurst University before bouncing back with a 3-1 win over Emporia State. The contests opened the 40th season for LCU volleyball and their opening loss to Rockhurst dropped them to 27-13 all-time and 11-4 under head coach Jennifer Lawrence in openers. LCU had won nine of their prior 10 openers before falling to Rockhurst.  Each contest marked their first ever games against their opponent.  The win over Emporia State places LCU 15-1 all-time against non-conference Kansas based programs.
 
How It Happened
 
Rockhurst Match
 
Set One:
There were five lead changes and the score was tied on five occasions in the opening frame. Neither team led by more than two points and the final lead change came when LCU's 17-15 lead slipped on a 3-0 Rockhurst run benefited by self-inflicted LCU mistakes. The 3-0 run eventually turned into 10-2 run to close the match for the Hawks. Lauren Zoller (five) and Ashley Vanfleet (three) combined for eight kills for LCU in the set, but they could not overcome the Hawks balance. Five Hawks had at least two kills in the set.
 
Set Two:
The Hawks dominated the second set. They produced a .500 attack percentage, with Alyssa Woodman producing five kills on six chances. LCU would be limited to four kills in the set and they would only have one dig in the entire set.
 
Set Three:
LCU made things interesting early, bouncing back from a 9-6 deficit with a 5-1 run capped by a kill from Zoller to give LCU an 11-10 lead. The two teams were tied 13-13 when RU completed a 7-2 run for a 20-15 lead. The margin was enough to carry RU to a 25-19 set win to complete the straight set victory.  
 
Inside the Numbers:
1-7 – LCU fell to 1-7 in matches against ranked teams since playing a NCAA Division II schedule in 2013.
3 – Morgan Schwarz, playing in her first match with the Lady Chaps, led the team in blocks with three.
98.5% - LCU allowed on serving ace, leading to a serve reception mark of 98.5%.
 
 
Emporia State Game
 
Set One:
A pair of serving aces early for Emporia State provided the Hornets a 6-2 lead, but LCU fought back by responding with an 11-2 run. Zoller and Ashley Vonfleet spearheaded the rally, each garnering four kills in the set. The Lady Chaps tallied 14 kills on 30 attempts for a .367 kill percentage. Zoller and Vonfleet combined for eight kills on 14 attempts and neither committed an error. The 25-19 set win was aided by a five-dig performance from Brynn Warnack in the set.
 
Set Two:
Despite nine kills by the Lady Chaps in the second set, they rolled to a 25-15 set win. The Hornets commited four consecutive serving errors in the set, which allowed LCU to go on an 8-1 run, which turned a 14-10 lead into a 22-11 advantage. Schwarz led LCU with three kills in the set.
 
Set Three:
LCU had the upper hand early in the third set, but they let an 8-4 lead slit away. The Hornets went on a 10-3 run. Tatum Graves was able to spark life into the hornets with five kills in the set. ESU produced 17 kills in the set and mounted a .371 attack percentage. Despite falling 25-20 in the set, LCU received nine kills from the combo of Zoller and Vanfleet combined for nine kills, with six by Zoller.
 
Set Four:
ESU had an early lead and had the lead for 14 consecutive serves, before four kills by Vanfleet opened an 8-3 run for LCU, who led 17-15. Jamie Hauptman, with five kills in the set, helped ESU tie the score at 20-20. The Lady Chaps disappointed the Hornets comeback efforts by ending the match on a 5-1 run for a 25-21 set win in the final frame.
 
Inside the Numbers:
 
36/12 – Brynn Warnack produced the program's first double-double of the season with 36 kills and 12 digs.
14 – Ashley Vanfleet had her first double digit kill performance with 14 kills.
.328 – LCU had at least a .300 kill percentage in all four sets, leading to a .328 attack mark for the match. The .328 attack percentage is the highest mark by LCU since Nov. 10, 2016 with a .337 attack percentage.
 
Up Next:
LCU remains in Canyon Saturday and will face Eastern New Mexico (9 a.m.) and tournament host West Texas A&M at 7:30 p.m. to complete their opening weekend of play.