BILLINGS, Mont. (September 1, 2023) -- Lubbock Christian University rallied after losing set one to secure a 3-1 victory (24-26, 25-22, 25-17, 25-19) over the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets Friday at Alterowitz Gymnasium in their season opener and the opening match of the Yellowjacket Invitational hosted by Montana State Billings.

The Lady Chaps were led by a double-double from Kiana Fallaha, who registered 18 kills and 12 digs on the day. Payton Murray also added 11 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Chloe Menard chipped in with 22 digs to go with three blocks from Kalli Dalland. Kayton Genenbacher also had a double-double with 43 assists and 14 digs.

Game Notes

» Lubbock Christian had four players in double figures in digs, led by a career-high 22 digs from Chloe Menard, who started at libero for the first time in her career at any level.
» Kayton Genenbacher had a match-high three aces in the win. LCU had a 20-6 scoring advantage from the line, as LCU had six aces and received 14 points from Black Hills State serving errors (BHSU had three aces and received three points from LCU serving errors). The 14 serving errors were the most by an LCU opponent since Minnesota State (Mankato) had 15 on Aug. 31, 2018.
» Kiana Fallaha registered her first career double-double with 18 kills and 12 digs. The 18 kills matched a career high from Sept. 3, 2022 against Colo. Colorado Springs, and the 12 digs was a career high.
» Lubbock Christian never trailed on the way to winning the second set 25-22.
» Lubbock Christian never trailed on the way to winning the third set 25-17.
» Lubbock Christian never trailed on the way to winning the fourth set 25-19.
» Payton Murray matched a career high with 11 kills for Lubbock Christian.
» Ramsey Clark (nine digs), Madyson Eberly (seven kills) and Lacie Schooley (three assists, two kills) made their LCU debut in the match.
» Lubbock Christian attackers were helped by a team-high 43 assists from Kayton Genenbacher, who notched her 12th career double-double with 14 digs.
» Lubbock Christian improved to 29-16 all-time in season openers and it was LCU's first season-opening win under Keith Giboney, who is in his third season at the helm of the Lady Chaps. LCU's last season-opening win was 2020 (over Wayland Baptist on Jan. 19, 2021, as COVID pushed the 2020 season to a Spring 2021 playing season).

How It Happened

SET 1 | The Lady Chaps fell in a close first set, losing 26-24 in a game that was tied eight times and had one lead change.

SET 2 | Lubbock Christian tied the match at 1-1 with a 25-22 victory in the second set. The Lady Chaps scored first and never trailed in the set to earn the victory. Lubbock Christian opened up as much as an eight point lead at 32-24 before finishing off the set.

SET 3 | Lubbock Christian took a 2-1 match lead after defeating the Yellow Jackets in set three. The Lady Chaps scored first and never trailed in the set to earn a 25-17 victory. Lubbock Christian opened up as much as a nine-point lead on three occasions before finishing off the set, collecting 17 kills in the process.

SET 4 | Lubbock Christian ended the match with a 25-19 fourth-set victory, winning their third straight set. The Lady Chaps scored first and never trailed in the set to secure the victory. Lubbock Christian opened up as much as a 12 point lead at 49-37 before closing out the stanza, totaling 16 kills in the process.

Next Up

LCU plays two matches Friday, with the following match at 3 p.m. (Central) against Mary (N.D.). It is the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Portions of this article created using technology provided by Data Skrive.