Blocks Couldn't Carry LCU Past WT

LUBBOCK, Texas (October 20, 2011) - The Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaparrals produced 11 blocks, with a career-high eight by Bailey Jones, but it was not enough to defeat NCAA Div. II No.14 West Texas A&M, as the Lady Buffs topped LCU 3-1 (25-19, 14-25, 25-19, 25-13) Thursday night at Rip Griffin Center.

LCU was full of energy in the opening set and jumped out to a 14-7 lead, but the Lady Buffs would respond with an 11-2 run and WTAMU claimed the opening set with a 25-19 mark.  The Lady Chaps tied the match at 1-1 with a dominating performance in the second set.  The set was tied 8-8 before LCU went on a 12-3 run and they claimed the set 25-14.  The third set was tied 14 times, including late at 17-17, but WTAMU closed the set on an 8-2 rally to win the set 25-19 for a 2-1 match lead.  Sarah Martin, who led the Lady Buffs with 12 kills, had six in the third set and five in the fourth set.  Her fourth set play helped the Lady Buffs produce a 11-2 run in the set and the Lady Buffs cruised to a 25-13 set win the clinch the match 3-1.

Along with the 12 kills by Martin, WTAMU received 10 from Ashley Davis.  Brittany Johnson led LCU with 12 kills and she also had three blocks.  Caitlin Kender produced nine kills and five blocks in the losing cause for LCU.  Of the eight blocks by Jones, which helped LCU produce a 11-5 advantage in blocks, three were solo blocks.  Jordan Goings produced her seventh consecutive double-double, as she had 11 digs and 33 assists.  Her WTAMU counterpart Lacy Hayes also had a double-double with 34 assists and 16 digs.  The Lady Buffs held a 6-3 advantage in aces, marking the fifth consecutive match LCU opponents led the match in the category (LCU had led their opponents in aces in 14 of their first 18 contests prior to the current streak).

LCU fell to 17-6 overall with the loss, while the Lady Buffs moved to 23-2 overall.  LCU remains home Friday, as they host Mid-America Christian at 7 p.m. inside Rip Griffin Center.  The Lady Chaps are seeking to end a two-game conference losing streak.