LYNCHBURG, Va. – Louisiana Tech's slow start in the first set was too much to overcome, falling to Liberty 3-0 on Thursday at Liberty Arena. 
 
Liberty (14-11, 7-6) came out on fire during the first set. The Flames hit .600 with no errors to take the early advantage. Louisiana Tech (6-19, 1-12) had five errors to just four kills.
 
The second set started the same way as the first. Liberty jumped out to a 5-0 lead and would extend their lead to double digits to 22-10. LA Tech started to turn things around, going on a six-point run that was highlighted by two aces by Riley Steubing and a block by Megan Cooley. The Flames would get the final three to take the 2-0 advantage.
 
The Bulldogs would carry that momentum into the third stanza. After getting down early, LA Tech would fight back into the set. Four different Bulldogs scored during a 4-1 run that pulled the score to two. The teams would trade points, and the Bulldogs were able to get within one on three occasions, the final being 18-17. The Flames closed the match, scoring the final seven points to take 3-0 (25-6, 25-16, 25-17).

NOTABLES

• Carla Esquer had six team-high kills, followed by Jailen Hurley and Ashley Taylor with five apiece.
• Grace Krohn finished with 13 assists, the 15th time this season she finished with 10+ assists.
• McKenzie Johnson finished with 14 digs to lead the Bulldogs.
• Steubing finished with a career-high three aces, the second straight match she ended with a career-high.

 
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs look to carry that momentum into the second match on Friday, with the two teams meeting at noon CT. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
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