DENTON, Texas (September 27, 2024) --The Lubbock Christian volleyball team fell in their Lone Star Conference opener Friday, as the Texas Woman's Pioneers posted a four set (20-25, 20-25, 25-15, 26-28) victory inside Kitty Magee Arena.
The Lady Chaps were led by double-doubles from Kiana Fallaha, who registered 18 kills and 10 digs, and Kayton Genenbacher, who had 51 assists and 13 digs on the day. Lily Bickley also added 18 kills to help the offense, as the total matched Fallaha for the team lead. On the defensive end, Leddy Rae Guinn chipped in with 20 digs to go with three blocks from Bryleigh Schweer.
The loss marked LCU's fifth consecutive loss and dropped Lubbock Christian's record to 4-7 overall and 0-1 in LSC action.
Game Notes
» Kayton Genenbacher recorded her sixth double-double of the season an 30th of her collegiate career, as she had 51 assists and 13 digs. On the way to her 51 assists, she surpassed 2,500 career assists, becoming the ninth Lady Chap in program history to reach 2,500 career assists.
» Lubbock Christian had three players in double figures in digs, led by 20 from Guinn, who notched her fourth performance of at least 20 digs this season.
» Kiana Fallaha registered a double-double with 18 kills and 10 digs for her fifth double-double of the season and 17th of her career.
» Lily Bickley tied Fallaha with a match-high 18 kills for Lubbock Christian. Bickley's total was one shy of her career-high mark.
» LCU lost despite leading in kill percentage.289 to .287, falling to 4-2 in matches in which they lead in kill percentage.
» TWU improved to 7-3 overall with the win and 1-0 in the LSC, as they received 16 kills from Tori Woods and 15 from Malia Viernes. Woods also added 14 digs for a double-double. Grace Reynolds joined her in double-doubles, as she had 31 assists and 15 digs.
» LCU fell to 24-6 all-time in conference openers and 3-3 in Lone Star Conference openers.
» TWU improved to 8-5 all-time against LCU, and the two teams are 2-2 head-to-head in Denton.
» The Lady Chaps are now 0-4 this season in true road matches.
» Lubbock Christian is riding a five match losing streak for the first time since the 2020 season, which was the COVID-related season in which matches were played in the Spring of 2021.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Lady Chaps lost set one 25-20 despite a strong performance on the attacking side. Lubbock Christian registered a .351 attack percentage with 15 kills in the set loss. TWU won the set behind a 6-1 rally to close the set. Kiana Fallaha led LCU with six kills in the frame.
SET 2 | A 25-20 set-two loss put Lubbock Christian in a 2-0 deficit in the match. Texas Woman's grabbed the advantage for good at 18-17 in a set that was tied up nine times before the Pioneers took over in the second half of the stanza and closed the set on an 8-3 run. Lily Bickley led LCU in the set with four kills.
SET 3 | Lubbock Christian got on the board with a win in the third set to make it a 2-1 match. The Lady Chaps took control of the set early when the score was 2-1 and never looked back to win 25-15. Lubbock Christian received consecutive kills from Fallaha to spark a 5-0 LCU run. Bickley (6) and Fallaha (5) combined for 11 kills in the set.
SET 4 | Lubbock Christian couldn't keep the momentum and fell in set four 28-26 to drop the match. The Lady Chaps had quite the surge late, as they trailed 23-18 and went on a 7-1 run to lead 25-24. The Pioneers closed the set and match scoring four of the last five points for a 28-26 set win. LCU lost the set despite 18 kills.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lady Chaps head to Wichita Falls, Texas Saturday and continue their opening weekend of Lone Star Conference play with a conference contest against Midwestern State (2 p.m. start).
