LUBBOCK, Texas – UT Tyler volleyball earned a 3-0 sweep of Lubbock Christian on Friday night at the Rip Griffin Center, improving to 14-3 overall and 5-2 in Lone Star Conference play. The Patriots took the opening set 25-19 before claiming the second 25-14 and closing out the match with a 25-22 victory in the third.
UT Tyler finished with 46 kills and a .277 hitting percentage while limiting Lubbock Christian to a .076 mark. The Patriots also held a 9-6 advantage in blocks and outdug the Chaparrals 47-38 to secure their fifth conference victory of the season.
The Patriots faced an early challenge in the opening set as the teams traded points through the first half of the frame. With the score tied at 14-14, UT Tyler began to separate itself behind its offensive attack. The Patriots used a strong stretch to build a 21-15 advantage and maintained control down the stretch to take the set 25-19.
Kailey Manes and Maya Jones led the way at the net during the opening frame, while the Patriots received contributions from multiple attackers to establish an early advantage in the match.
UT Tyler carried its momentum into the second set, jumping out to a 6-2 lead before continuing to build separation. The Patriots extended their advantage to 12-6 and later used a run to move ahead 19-10. UT Tyler's defensive pressure helped fuel the surge, as the Patriots recorded six blocks in the second set alone.
The Patriots closed out the frame 25-14 to move within a set of the sweep. UT Tyler recorded nine kills in the second set and capitalized on Lubbock Christian's offensive struggles to take a commanding two-set lead.
The third set provided the closest competition of the night. The teams battled through 10 ties, including a 15-15 deadlock midway through the frame. UT Tyler responded by creating separation late, turning an 18-16 advantage into a 20-16 lead. The Patriots maintained their edge despite a late push from the Chaparrals, securing the set 25-22 to complete the sweep.
Miley Myers led UT Tyler with 11 kills, while Manes added 10 kills and a match-high six block assists. Jones contributed nine kills and three block assists, and Anna Arceneaux paced the Patriots with 16 digs. Ava Collins recorded 20 assists, while Riley Clinton added 18 assists.
The Patriots will return to action Saturday, Oct. 10, traveling to Wichita Falls to face Midwestern State. First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m. as UT Tyler looks to continue its success in Lone Star Conference play.
