The University of Texas of the Permian Basin will head to Lubbock this afternoon to take on Lubbock Christian at 7 p.m. for a non-conference volleyball match. 
 
The Chaps are 9-2 this season with their losses coming against No. 16 Bellevue (Neb.) and No. 12 Doane – both on a neutral court.  The match with UTPB will be their first against an NCAA institution.  Offensively, Caitlin Kender and Brittany Johnson lead the team with 98 and 94 digs respectively while Bailey Jones has 79.  Both Kender and Johnson have been efficient as they are hitting .331 and .307.  As a team, the Chaps are hitting .220 while holding opponents to a .144 attack percentage. 
 
The Falcons are coming off a 3-1 Heartland Conference win over Dallas Baptist where Melissa Lusk put down 18 kills while Heather Sanchez established a career-high with 16.  Sanchez also finished with 13 digs for her first double-double of the season. 
 
UTPB is now 7-5 on the year and have won three of its last four matches.  Lusk has been the offensive leader thus far with 133 kills, averaging 3.17 per set.  Not only is she hitting a team-best .304, she is second on the team in total blocks with 27.  Defensively, Danae Eckart has been a vacuum in the back row as she has 228 digs thus far, averaging 5.56 per set. 
 
Live video and stats are available at http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/lcu.portal.  There is a $5 charge to watch the game online. 
 
The Falcons will return to Heartland Conference play on Thursday when they head to San Antonio to take on St. Mary's.