LAREDO, Texas (September 29, 2017) - The Texas A&M International University Volleyball team opens the home portion of their 2017 schedule on Saturday. After a month on the road, the Dustdevils will host Lubbock Christian for the first contest in the KCB since the 2016 season. 

TAMIU comes into the weekend six days removed from their last contest. The Dustdevils would fall twice on September 23 when they lost both ends of a tri-match in Austin, Texas. TAMIU fell to 0-2 in Heartland Conference play after a 0-3 loss to St. Edward's. Following the match with SEU, the Dustdevils took on Henderson State, a match which TAMIU fell 1-3. Heading into the second week of Heartland Conference action, TAMIU currently sits 2-14 overall and 0-2 in the Heartland. 

SCOUTING THE LADY CHAPS:
Lubbock Christian enters the match fresh off of a 0-3 loss to the nations #15 team, Tarleton State. The Lady Chaps would fall in consecutive sets in San Antonio, falling to 3-11 overall. Through three Heartland Conference games, the Lady Chaps sit at 0-3, one spot behind TAMIU in the standings.

LCU fell in their conference opener 1-3 against 2016 Champion, Arkansas Fort Smith. The Lady Chaps would fall against Newman University (0-3) and St. Mary's (2-3). 

Saturday's matchup will mark the 12th all-time meeting between TAMIU and LCU. Lubbock Christian leads the all-time series 11-0. TAMIU and LCU last faced off on October 29, 2016 in Laredo where LCU took the match 3-0. 

The Lady Chaps are paced by Lauren Zoller, McKayley Johnson, and Brynn Warmack offensively. Zoller leads the team with 127 kills, averaging 2.70 kills/set. Johnson has tallied eight aces thus far while Warmack averages 6.12 assists/set with a total of 202 on the season. Defensively, Kelsie French leads the Lady Chaps with 274 digs, averaging 5.71 digs/set. Jaiden Kennedy leads the team with 45 blocks. 

DUSTDEVIL LEADERS:
Leah McManus, Ronnie Fountain, and Yuliia Hupkovska lead the Dustdevils offensively through 16 games. McManus leads the team with 130 kills while Fountain has tallied 416 assists. Hupkovska leads the team with 18 aces on the season. Defensively, Lacy Asdourian and Panebi Shirey lead TAMIU. Asdourian has picked up 206 digs through 16 games while Shirey has tallied 33 blocks. 

KILLS:            (130)      Leah McManus
ASSISTS:       (416)      Ronnie Fountain
ACES:            (18)         Yuliia Hupkovska
DIGS:             (206)       Lacy Asdourian
BLOCKS:       (33)         Panebi Shirey

UP NEXT:
TAMIU heads back out on the road after Saturday's match. TAMIU will face 2016 Heartland Conference Champions Arkansas Fort Smith on October 5 before taking on Newman University on October 7. 

STAY TUNED:
Stay up to date with the Dustdevils all season long by liking or following @TAMIUAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.