Match Information
Score: Lubbock Christian 3, Western New Mexico 0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-15)
Records: LCU (10-10, 4-7, 4-5 Div.), WNMU (4-14, 2-8, 1-5 Div.)
Location: Drag's Court – Silver City, N.M.
 
Highlights
Lubbock Christian University placed their magic number to "1" in clinching a berth to the 12-team field of the Lone Star Conference Championship, as they completed a straight-set 3-0 victory Saturday afternoon in their first visit to Silver City, N.M. since 1993. LCU completes the regular season and division sweep of WNMU behind a 14-kill performance from Hannah Thomas and a double-double (28 assists and 10 digs) from Bradi Marshall. Bria Augustine led WNMU with eight kills.  

How It Happened

Set One:
LCU closed the opening set on a 5-0 run to win the set 25-20, breaking a 20-20 tie and taking a quick jab at stealing the momentum. WNMU had just produced a 4-1 run to tie the set at 20-20 before LCU flexed their muscle down the stretch. LCU had a 13-8 advantage in kills, with Thomas leading LCU in the set with five kills on seven attempts (.571). Avery Moore also provided the Lady Chaps four kills in the set. WNMU was led by Augustine, who had four of the Mustangs eight kills. The Mustangs tied the set six times, but never took a lead.

Set Two:
The trend of a tied score in the match would continue in the second set, as a pair of lead changes and the score tied on nine occasions would take place in the second set. An ace by Marshall capped a 4-0 run to give LCU a 19-14 lead. They built the lead to 22-16 before the Mustangs utilized a 6-2 run to cut the LCU lead to 24-22. The fifth set-point-serve finally proved to be the difference, as Thomas' team-leading fifth kill in the set helped LCU win the set 25-22. LCU produced 15 kills in the set.  

Set Three:
Maddie DeGuire served an ace to cap a 6-2 run to open the final set. WNMU would get as close as 13-12 before LCU went on a 6-0 run as part of a 12-3 scoring surge to close the set and match. Morgan Schwarz and Thomas co-led LCU with four kills in the set. LCU had a 12-6 kill advantage in the set.

Inside the Numbers:
2 – The victory was LCU's second win of the season decided in straight-sets (2-3) and their second road win of the season (2-6), as their five-match road losing streak came to an end.
4 – WNMU had a .055 hitting percentage, marking the fourth time this season an LCU opponent has been held to a hitting percentage below .100. LCU is 10-2 when holding the opposition to a hitting percentage under .200.
5 – LCU's win was their first-ever win over WNMU in Silver City, N.M. (1-1) and it is their fifth-ever win over WNMU all-time (5-7).
11 – LCU had their streak of consecutive matches with a sub-.200 attack percentage end at 11 with a .221 attack mark Saturday. LCU is 3-1 when hitting over .200.  
31 - Setter Bradi Marshall notched her 31st career double-double and she has 14 double-doubles this season and they have come over an 18-match stretch.
36 – WNMU had 36 digs, which is the the lowest dig total by an LCU opponent since Rockhurst had 36 on Aug. 24, 2018.
65 – WNMU was called for two ball-handling errors in the match and opponents have been whistled for 65 ball-handling errors this season, compared to 22 by LCU.

Up Next:
LCU plays their final divisional contest Tuesday, as they host No. 18 Angelo State for "Dig Pink Night" inside Rip Griffin Center (6 p.m. start).