AUSTIN, Texas – A pivotal third set slipped away in extra points, and St. Edward's volleyball couldn't recover, falling 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 28-26, 25-20) to Lubbock Christian on Saturday afternoon at the Recreation and Convocation Center.

The Hilltoppers (3-8, 0-6 LSC) started strong in the opening set, matching the Lady Chaps point for point through a tightly contested frame, with Hilltopper setter ALTHEA MORRIS notching a service ace and Jade Workman responding with a kill to keep the score even at 20.  

Senior ADDY BADLEY took over from there, delivering three kills in a 4-0 run to set up set point. KELLI FORDING sealed the 25-22 win with a kill as the Hilltoppers' offense found early rhythm behind 11 combined kills from Badley and Fording.

Badley continued to pace the attack in the second set with eight kills, but five service errors proved costly as LCU evened the match with a 25-21 win despite St. Edward's holding a slight 17-15 edge in kills.

The third set turned into a tug-of-war, with both teams finishing with 15 kills, eight errors, and an ace apiece. St. Edward's fought off multiple set points before Lubbock Christian's Emilee Sikora delivered back-to-back kills to close a 28-26 win and give the Lady Chaps a 2-1 lead.

That momentum carried into the fourth set, where Lubbock Christian built an early cushion and finished the match on a 16-8 kill advantage to close out the 3-1 victory.

Badley led all attackers with 17 kills and two block assists, hitting .310 on the day. Fording added 15 kills on .244 hitting, while Morris guided the offense with 41 assists. Jade Workman paced the Lady Chaps (12-4, 4-0) with 14 kills as three LCU players finished in double figures.

St. Edward's now heads on the road for a two-match weekend, visiting Texas A&M-Kingsville on Friday before facing Texas A&M International on Saturday.