The 2011 University of Texas of the Permian Basin volleyball team had much higher expectations than its 10-21 record from a year ago. An 0-2 start after the first day of the BritKare Lady Buff Classic hosted by West Texas A&M hasn't altered its thinking.
The Falcons dropped a 3-0 (20-25, 24-26, 22-25) match to Adams State before dropping a heartbreaking 3-2 (25-22, 30-28, 14-25, 22-25, 13-15) contest to Southwest Baptist. Despite the two setbacks, UTPB picked up 19.5 total blocks in the two matches while picking up 75 kills offensively.
In the first match,
Alex Genung led the way offensively with nine kills on 26 attacks and tied for the team-lead with seven digs, while
Jamie Rodell had six kills in 21 attempts.
Melissa Lusk led the way defensively at the net with four block assists, while Rodell and
Heather Sanchez had three each.
In the contest with Southwest Baptist, Lusk was a force both offensively and defensively as she picked up a career-high 18 kills on 44 attacks while tallying one solo and three block assists. Genung recorded her first double-double of the season and 13th of her career with 11 kills and 17 digs and registered three block assists.
Danae Eckart did her job defensively as the libero as she garnered a career-high 39 digs. Sanchez also collected double-digit digs with 15.
The Falcons will play two more matches tomorrow as they will take on Missouri Western at 9 a.m. and Western State at 2 p.m.
