LYNCHBURG, Va. – Louisiana Tech showed stretches of competitive play but ultimately dropped a 3-0 decision (25-15, 25-15, 25-13) to Liberty on Saturday afternoon inside Liberty Arena.
 
Liberty's (14-1, 2-0 CUSA) balance at the net proved to be the difference, as the Flames hit .326 as a team while limiting LA Tech (7-9, 0-2 CUSA) to just .024. Their 12 blocks and six service aces kept the Bulldogs under pressure throughout.
 
The 'Dogs kept things tight early in the first set, with Gabrielle Hairston and Charlize Williams finding success at the net.  LA Tech trailed just 15-13 midway through the frame before Liberty surged ahead with a 10-2 run to close it out.
 
LA Tech put together its most balanced set of the match, hitting .162 and recording 12 kills.  Hairston and Ryan Rusher sparked the offense while Sydnee Carter steered the attack with steady setting.  However, Liberty controlled the middle stages of the frame with multiple aces and a stout block that forced the Bulldogs into tough swings.  After pulling within 19-14, LA Tech could not close the gap as the Lady Flames finished on a 6-1 run.

The final frame saw Liberty's offense at its sharpest, hitting .619 as a team.  LA Tech had moments, including a pair of late aces from Emerson Traylor and kills from Zari Gillispie and Hairston, but Liberty's balance across the front line proved too much.
 
Hairston registered a team-high nine kills while Carter provided 13 assists.  Defensively, Williams recorded four blocks. 
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Scott Mattera
 
"The scores don't reflect it, but this was a much more competitive match than last night.  We showed some good things in spurts, but just struggled to sustain the level of execution it takes to hang with a team as talented and disciplined as Liberty."
 
"I love these young people – we've got a lot of season left.  One bad results weekend is not going to knock us off our mission.  We are going to enjoy each other's company the rest of the weekend and get back in the gym Monday hungry to get better." 
 
NEXT UP
LA Tech will return home to face Delaware for a pair of CUSA matchups on Oct. 3-4 inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.  Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
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