LUBBOCK, Texas (November 8, 2023) --The Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaps took care of business in four sets (25-13, 25-13, 25-27, 25-16, 25-16) to knock off the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds Wednesday in a Lone Star Conference match and "Senior Night" inside Rip Griffin Center. The special night honoring the seniors also included a milestone in the mix, as Kayton Genenbacher became the 12th Lady Chaps setter to achieve 2,000 career assists.
The victory moved the Lady Chaps' record to 16-9 overall and 8-7 in LSC action. With Texas A&M International winning (at St. Edward's) in five sets Wednesday, LCU has one match remaining (Saturday at Western New Mexico) and remains in 10th place in the LSC standings. TAMIU and UT Permian Basin each have an 8-6 record, with two matches remaining. LCU must win Saturday and TAMIU and UTPB must each lose one of their remaining two matches for LCU to earn one of eight berths to the LSC Championships. If LCU loses Saturday, TAMIU and UTPB must lose their remaining two matches for the Lady Chaps to advance (LCU has the tie-breaker on both teams).
The Lady Chaps received a double-double from Kiana Fallaha, who registered 11 kills and 10 digs on the day. Payton Murray led all players with 13 kills to help the offense, as she was one of four Lady Chaps with at least 10 kills in the match. On the defensive end, Chloe Menard chipped in for with 15 digs to go with five blocks from Kalli Dalland.
Game Notes
» Lubbock Christian had four players in double figures in kills. Following Murray's 13 kills (ninth match of at least 10 kills this season), LCU received 12 from Lily Bickley, 11 from Kiana Fallaha and 10 from Lacie Schooley.
» Lubbock Christian had four players in double figures in digs, with the senior Menard leading the Lady Chaps with 15. Olivia Eloffson, who led LCU with two aces, was right behind Menard with 14 digs.
» LCU closed out their home schedule with an 8-6 record inside Rip Griffin Center this season.
» Kiana Fallaha registered a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs for her 12th double-double of the season and of her career.
» Lubbock Christian never trailed on the way to winning the second set 25-13.
» Lubbock Christian never trailed on the way to winning the fourth set 25-16.
» Prior to the match, seniors Kalli Dalland and Chloe Menard were recognized for "Senior Night." Dalland had five blocks in the match with four block-assists. The four block-assists have her with 97 on the season and she is 19 away from moving into the top-10 for LCU's single-season best marks in the category.
» Lubbock Christian attackers were helped by a match-high 45 assists from Kayton Genenbacher. She became the 12th Lady Chaps setter in program history to reach 2,000 career assists and the first since Bradi Marshall completed the task during the 2019 season. Her 45 assists place her with 2,044 in her career. She is 39 away from moving past Ashley Hardin (2,082) and into 11th place on LCU's all-time career assist list.
» LCU moves to 31-34 all-time against ENMU and 18-11 in Lubbock against the Greyhounds. The match marked the sixth consecutive match to end in four sets between the two programs.
» LCU is now 7-4 in matches decided in four sets.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Lady Chaps took control of the set-one lead at 2-1 and never looked back to win 25-13. Lubbock Christian opened up its biggest lead, 12 points, to close out the set, collecting 15 kills while only committing one attack error in the process (LCU hit .438 in the set). Lily Bickley led LCU in the frame with four kills. Genenbacher recorded 12 assists in the set.
SET 2 | Lubbock Christian took the second set 25-13 to quickly grab a 2-0 lead. The Lady Chaps led from the first point on in the set to secure the victory. Lubbock Christian opened its biggest lead of the stanza, 12 points, to finish off the set, totaling 16 kills in the process. The Lady Chaps hit .333 over the course of the set, led by Fallaha (5) and Bickley (4) combining for nine kills int he set. Genenbacher assisted on 15 of the 16 kills in the set.
SET 3 | Eastern New Mexico avoided an early loss with a third-set victory to make it a 2-1 match. The Lady Chaps couldn't persevere past a furious Eastern New Mexico rally, falling 27-25 after leading by eight points at 20-12 earlier in the set. LCU was serving match-point at 25-24 before ENMU rattled off three straight points. Murray led LCU with four kills in the set.
SET 4 | Lubbock Christian then responded to earn the match win with a 25-16 set-four victory. The Lady Chaps scored first and never trailed in the set to earn the victory. Lubbock Christian opened up as much as an 11 point lead at 18-7 before closing out the match. Lacey Schooley paced LCU with four kills in the set. Menard had six digs in the final frame.
What's Next
The final match in the LSC is Saturday at 7 p.m. (Central), as LCU faces Western New Mexico in Silver City, N.M. All other LSC matches will be final, as LCU will know their postseason fate heading into the match.
Portions of this article created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
