TYLER, Texas – The Louisiana Christian University volleyball team swept Texas College 3-0 (25-9, 25-15, 25-8) on Friday night at Gus F. Taylor Gymnasium, getting the Wildcats its first Red River Athletic Conference win of the season.
Louisiana Christian (2-12, 1-4 RRAC) seized control of the opening set with a 10-0 run after holding a 5-4 lead.
Mallory Wills served three aces during the surge, which gave the Wildcats a 15-4 advantage. The sustained pressure disrupted the Texas College (2-13, 0-7 RRAC) offense, and
Emma Cother completed the 25-9 set with an ace. Wills also anchored the work at the net, recording three solo blocks and one block assist as LCU finished with a 6-1 advantage in total blocks.
The Steers stayed closer early in the second set, pulling within 8-5 before
Natalie Aasen delivered three consecutive kills to begin another decisive Wildcat run. LCU scored six straight points to stretch the margin to 14-5, then maintained control on the way to a 25-15 victory.
Kylie Elmore ended the set with an ace, giving the Wildcats a two-set lead.
LCU produced their longest run after the third set opened with a 2-2 tie.
Shanoa Mitch served four aces during a 12-0 burst that pushed the Wildcats ahead 14-2. Mitch finished with a match-high six aces, four digs and an assist, while Aasen supplied the match-ending kill to close the 25-8 set and complete the sweep.
Aasen led the attack with 11 kills, a .444 hitting percentage, one ace and one solo block.
Kourtlyn Smith added seven kills while hitting .417, and
Holly Rowe put down five kills without an error in six attempts for a team-best .833 hitting percentage. Cother distributed 15 of LCU's 24 assists and added three digs, helping the Wildcats involve multiple attackers throughout the match. Elmore contributed two aces and two assists.
LCU held Texas College to nine kills and a minus-.304 hitting percentage, with the Wildcats' serving, blocking and balanced attack working together to end a 10-match skid.
The Wildcats and Steers finish their conference pair in Tyler, Texas on Saturday as the teams meet again with a 12 p.m. opening serve at Gus F. Taylor Gymnasium.
