AUSTIN, Texas – The St. Edward's volleyball team dropped a hard-fought decision to Heartland Conference newcomer Lubbock Christian, 3-1, Saturday afternoon at the Recreation and Convocation Center. The Lady Chaps downed the Hilltoppers, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-20.
 
St. Edward's (6-11, 4-5 HC) started the first set strong, taking a 4-1 lead, but Lubbock Christian (10-7, 7-2 HC) came back to keep it close through the first half of the set. With the Hilltoppers ahead, 16-15, a kill and ace by TABITHA ELDER led St. Edward's to a 4-0 run and a 20-15 advantage. After a kill by AMY JONES gave the Hilltoppers a 24-20 advantage, the Lady Chaps rattled off three-straight points to push the home team, but HANNAH RAUCH provided a kill to seal the deal, 25-23, in set one.
 
In the second set, Lubbock Christian raced out to a 12-5 lead. Service aces by LOREN KELLY and MARY KOEHLER sparked the Hilltoppers to an 8-2 run and pulled St. Edward's within 14-13. With the Lady Chaps clinging to a 20-19 advantage, the visitors ended the set on a 5-1 run, keyed by two attack errors by the Hilltoppers.
 
The third set had the Hilltoppers holding a narrow 6-5 lead. Three kills by Lubbock Christian's Kacey Deterding spurred the Lady Chaps to an 8-2 run and a 13-8 lead. Three-straight points by the Hilltoppers cut the lead to 13-11, but Lubbock Christian would coast from there for a 25-17 set victory.
 
The fourth set saw the Hilltoppers dominating early with a 10-2 lead. Both Amy Edwards and Deterding keyed the Lady Chap comeback as they used a 17-9 run to tie the game, 19-19. Both Edwards and Deterding had four kills during the set to lead the way. Lubbock Christian would score six of the last seven points for the 25-20 victory and match triumph.
 
Rauch led the Hilltoppers with 10 kills, while Jones and Koehler added eight kills each. LOREN KELLY dished out 20 assists and JACLYN BILLIE added 14 of her own. KELLY JIMENEZ tallied 25 digs from her libero position and Koehler added 20 digs.
 
St. Edward's will be back in action Tuesday when they host Heartland Conference rival McMurry. This will be the last of its three-game homestand. First-serve is set for 7 p.m. at the Recreation and Convocation Center. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic website.