LCU snaps Pioneers' 7-match win streak

(This match was later forfeited by WBU).

Wayland Baptist's seven-match win streak ended Tuesday night in Hutcherson Center at the hands of NCAA Division II Lubbock Christian University. The Lady Chaparrals made off with a 25-23, 25-16, 25-22 victory.
 
"It was a rough night for us," WBU coach Jim Giacomazzi said.
 
Wayland (8-3) had spurts of encouraging play, much of it in the first set. The Pioneers went on a 6-2 run to tie the score at 15, but LCU (3-1) ran off six unanswered. WBU didn't throw in the towel, though, and slowly worked its way back in the match, using a 7-2 spurt to close to within 24-23.
 
The last two points of that run helped Wayland fight off two match points and prompt an LCU timeout, after which a kill by Aaliyah Gray ended it, 25-23.
 
"I was pleased with the first set," Giacomazzi said. "Our serve-receive was spot on."
 
The second set not so much as LCU rolled, 25-16.
 
"We started making too many errors in the second set," the coach said.
 
Wayland battled hard in the third, however. After falling behind 8-3, the Pioneers closed to within two points and kept it there much of the way, finally pulling to within one at 22-21. But LCU went on a 3-1 match-ending run to close it out, 25-22.
 
Giacomazzi came away pleased with Jayla Schultz, who ended with 10 kills and just two errors in 18 swings for a .444 hitting percentage. She also had three of Wayland's 10 block-assists and the team's lone solo block.
 
"I was pleased with the adjustments the blockers made," Giacomazzi said.
 
Paxton Patterson pounded a dozen kills and hit .286 while Ariel Marquez and Amber Daniel were dig leaders with 13 and 10, respectively. Lucie Mahelova produced 40 assists.
 
LCU was led by Hannah Froeschl' 13 kills (.455) and Sage Chain's 10 (.529). The Lady Chaps hit .309 as a team.
 
Giacomazzi said the match was good for Wayland.
 
"LCU has some good athletes. We need to play teams like this. It exposes some of our flaws," he said. "We've made good improvement over the last two weeks."
 
The Pioneers return to Sooner Athletic Conference play at 7 p.m. Friday against Mid-America Christian, led by reigning NAIA Attacker of the Week Hanna Foecker. On Saturday, WBU hosts Science & Arts of Oklahoma at 11 a.m. and University of the Southwest, N.M., at 4, with S&A and USW squaring off in between Wayland's matches at 1:30.