AZUSA, Calif. (March 19, 2025) - No. 4 Lubbock Christian (13-1) solidified itself as one of the top teams in NCAA Division II with a statement-making California road trip over Spring Break, securing wins over No. 7 Azusa Pacific, No. 36 Concordia Irvine, and Point Loma. The Chaparrals' 4-3 win over Azusa Pacific marked the first time a Division II team had defeated the Cougars in the regular season since April 1, 2023.
 
Match 1: Lubbock Christian 4, No. 7 Azusa Pacific 3
Facing their toughest challenge of the season, the Chaparrals overcame an early deficit after dropping the doubles point. The No. 2 pairing of Mattia Ghedin and Marco Seccia provided LCU's lone doubles victory, shutting out David James Brownlee and Brody Bohren 6-0. Azusa Pacific claimed wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles to clinch the point.
 
Singles play saw a dramatic comeback from LCU. Blas Ruiz Romero got the Chaparrals on the board first with a 6-4, 6-2 victory at No. 6. After Azusa Pacific pushed ahead 2-1 with a win at No. 1 singles, No.27 Giese delivered a gritty three-set win over No.22 Soeren Grandke, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. De Los Rios then survived a marathon three-setter against Brownlee, 2-6, 7-6 (11-9), 6-1, tying the match at 3-3. The deciding point came from Ghedin, who outlasted Miha Velicki (44/4) in a tense 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 battle, securing the historic victory for LCU.
 
Match 2: Lubbock Christian 4, No. 36 Concordia Irvine 2
LCU rebounded in doubles against Concordia Irvine, clinching the point with tight victories at No. 1 and No. 2. No.32 Giese and Ruiz Romero pulled out a clutch 7-6 (7-3) win at No. 1, while No.22 Ghedin and Seccia sealed the point with a 7-5 win at No. 2.
 
Singles play saw another strong showing from the Chaparrals' top players. Ghedin was dominant in a 6-0, 6-4 win at No. 3, while No.19 Pablo Segura controlled play at No. 1 with a 6-3, 6-3 victory. After Concordia earned wins at No. 4 and No. 5 to pull within 3-2, Giese delivered the clinching point, edging Felix Veyhle 7-5, 7-6 (7-4).
 
Match 3: Lubbock Christian 5, Point Loma 2
LCU closed out its road trip with a commanding performance against Point Loma. The Chaparrals secured the doubles point after a dominant 6-2 win from Giese and Jordan Georgiev at No. 1 and a clutch 7-6 (7-5) victory from De Los Rios and Segura at No. 3.
LCU's depth overwhelmed Point Loma in singles, with four straight-set victories. Ghedin kicked things off with a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 3, followed by Giese's 6-3, 6-1 triumph at No. 2. Seccia clinched the match with a 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 4, and Segura added another victory at No. 1, 7-5, 6-1.
 
Key Performers and Notables
LCU's victory over No. 7 Azusa Pacific marked the highest-ranked win in program history. The Chaparrals are now 3-0 against nationally ranked ITA programs this season and 4-9 all-time.
 
Kelly Giese proved invaluable for LCU, going 3-0 in singles with clutch victories in all three matches, including the clincher against Concordia. He also contributed pivotal doubles wins against Concordia and Point Loma. Giese has won five straight singles matches and is now 13-7 overall this season and 5-0 playing in No.2-singles.  Mattia Ghedin was equally impressive, posting a perfect 3-0 singles record (winner of six straight singles matches and 9-1 in No.3-singles in duals), while Pablo Segura increased his team lead in singles wins to 20 (20-4).
 
The 3-0 road trip strengthened LCU's case as a national title contender, as the Chaparrals improved to 13-1 overall on the season. They take a 12-match win streak into their March 28 Lone Star Conference opener at home against No.16 Midwestern State.