LCSC finishes one of its most successful seasons at 30-4. The Warriors won both the Frontier Conference regular season and tournament titles for the second straight year to earn a trip to the national tournament.
LCSC’s season record is the second highest winning percentage (88.2) in program history, only behind the Warriors’ 35-4 (89.7) mark in 1996. It also was only the fourth time an LCSC volleyball team won 30 matches in a season.
Both Lubbock Christian, seeded No. 23 in the 24-team pool play, and LCSC, seeded No. 14, entered Thursday’s match at 1-1 in pool play and needing a win to advance. The top two teams from each of the six four-team pools advanced to Friday’s single-elimination play. Biola had already won the pool and LCSC and Lubbock Christian were trying to be the No. 2 team.
However, as it did in its two previous matches at the tournament, LCSC lost the first two games to put itself in a big hole. The Warriors then took the third game, but fell behind 8-1 and 14-4 in the final game and had to play catch-up. The Warriors did cut the lead to four at 23-19, but Lubbock Christian was able to hang on to improve to 35-5 on the season.
“It was just one of those days where things weren’t going our way,” LCSC coach Jennifer Greeny said. “But
LCSC’s undoing was the inability to stop LCU from going on runs at critical points during the sets. LCU had runs of at least five straight points in three of the four matches.
“Our hitters just weren’t clicking with the setters, we didn’t pass very well and our defense wasn’t really great tonight,” Greeny said. “I thought our effort was there, it just seemed like we couldn’t get things going our way.
“At the end of the season, it should go a little smoother than this, but
The Warriors led 5-2 in the first game, but LCU fought back and eventually tied the match at 6. Both teams then exchanged points, but with LCSC ahead 12-11, the Chaparrals were able to run off nine consecutive points behind the serving of Lauren Hackney to take control at 20-12. The Warrior rallied to cut the margin to six at 22-16, but couldn’t get any closer.
In the second game, LCSC put together a small run to take a 14-9 advantage. The key for LCSC was its hitting attack. After committing nine hitting errors and hitting a minus-0.051 in the opening game, the Warriors looked more like themselves and were aggressive in their attack. LCU, however, gradually fought back and after cutting the lead to 17-15, the Chaparrals scored five of the next six points for a 20-18 lead. LCU upped the margin to 23-20, before LCSC made it a two-point lead with a kill from Anile Clemente. Still, LCU was able to score the final two points to claim the first two sets.
In the third set, the Warriors never trailed, although it was tied three times. The trio of Clemente, freshman Lauryn Herrick, and senior
The Warriors, however, were unable to carry that momentum into the fourth game as Lubbock Christian used seven straight points for an 8-1 lead and eventually claim the victory and end LCSC’s season.
“We told the players after the match they should be proud of what they accomplished this year,” Greeny said. “With our record, it was a great year. It’s just hard at this moment to think that way because we’re disappointed right now.”
Clemente, a junior who was the FC’s Player of the Year, and Herrick finished with 12 kills apiece. Herrick also hit a team-best .393 in the match. Lewis and Julie Maciboba, two of the four seniors on the Warrior squad, finished with nine and eight kills, respectively. Lewis also had three of the team’s eight blocks as LCSC outblocked Lubbock Christian 8-3. LCU also finished with a .192 hitting percentage, compared to .185 for LCSC.
Freshman Abby Bruya led LCSC with 23 assists, while Lisa Davis had 16. Senior Lindsay Scott had 26 digs, while Clemente finished with 14 and Katie Hinrichs added 13. David also was in double figures with 10 digs.
Clemente had LCSC’s only service ace, while the Warriors made seven service errors.
Lubbock Christian, who had to wait until Thursday’s play was complete to learn who it would play on Friday in the single-elimination bracket, was led by Elissa Loynes’ season-high 20 kills. Courtney Yonkey added 36 digs.
