CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M senior Taytum Stow became the program's all-time leader in solo blocks on Tuesday night as the #14 Lady Buffs ran their win streak to 10 matches while snapping Lubbock Christian's 15-match win streak (23-25, 25-23, 25-23, 20-25, 15-11) in Lone Star Conference action at the WTAMU Fieldhouse.
 
WT opened the first set with Currie Marusak serving, capitalizing on an early error by Lubbock Christian to take an initial lead. However, Lubbock Christian responded with a series of points, including a service ace and kills that shifted the momentum in their favor, pushing ahead to an 8-3 advantage. The Lady Buffs fought back with key plays from Parker Gladhill and Emma Becker, who delivered timely kills to tighten the score.
 
As the set progressed, Taytum Stow's blocks and Marusak's attacking efforts helped the Lady Buffs rally to draw the set level multiple times, including a crucial tie at 20-20. Despite another surge that brought them within one point late in the set, Lubbock Christian clinched the first set 25-23, with Jade Workman delivering the deciding kill.
 
The second set began with Lubbock Christian taking an early lead on a service ace, but the Lady Buffs quickly responded with a strong kill from Gladhill. The home team then went on a 4-1 scoring run, highlighted by kills from Stow and Becker, and a critical block by Stow on an opponent's attack error, pushing the score to 8-4 in favor of the Lady Buffs.
 
Lubbock Christian attempted to close the gap, but the Lady Buffs maintained their momentum. Kills by Marusak and Bromli Watson, along with errors forced on Lubbock Christian, allowed the Buffs to extend their lead to 17-14. Despite a brief push from Lubbock Christian, including a service ace, the Lady Buffs held firm with decisive plays from Stow and Marusak. As the set neared its conclusion, the Lady Buffs sustained their narrow lead. A late kill by Kaycee Cavanaugh and another by Marusak secured the set with a 25-23 victory, maintaining their advantage in the match.
 
The Lady Buffs opened the third set with a kill by Cavanaugh, but Lubbock Christian quickly responded with a series of points to establish a 4-1 lead. A crucial service ace by Becker and strong defensive plays helped the Lady Buffs level the score at 5-5.
 
The teams then exchanged points with neither side gaining a significant advantage. Marusak and Cavanaugh delivered key kills, keeping the score tight. Despite Lubbock Christian's efforts, the Lady Buffs maintained composure, tying the game at 11-11 with a service ace by Casey Loewer.
 
In the closing moments, the Lady Buffs surged ahead with a run initiated by a block from Cavanaugh and Stow. Cavanaugh's consecutive kills and a service ace from Hannah Pemberton secured the final points, allowing the Lady Buffs to close the set at 25-23, clinching the set.
 
The Lady Buffs initiated the fourth set with strong offensive play, securing an early 3-0 lead through kills by Becker and Stow, both assisted by Watson. The team extended its advantage to 6-2, capitalizing on opponent errors and maintaining pressure with additional points from Marusak and Cavanaugh.
 
Despite the home team's efforts to maintain control, Lubbock Christian steadily countered, narrowing the gap to 9-6. The Lady Buffs responded with a sequence of blocks by Stow and another kill by Cavanaugh, pushing the lead to 15-7. However, Lubbock Christian shifted momentum, embarking on a scoring run that brought them level at 18-18.
 
As the set progressed, Lubbock Christian's offensive execution led to a 23-18 advantage, culminating in a 25-20 set win. Despite the Lady Buffs' initial lead and strong plays, they were unable to halt the visitor's comeback, concluding the set with a 20-25 score.
 
The Lady Buffs entered the decisive fifth set with momentum shifts defining the play. After falling behind early, 2-0, Becker's kill from Watson sparked a response that included contributions from Cavanaugh and Stow, leveling the score at 3-3. A brief back-and-forth ensued, with Stow and Watson pivotal in keeping the score tight at 5-5.
 
As the set progressed, the Lady Buffs capitalized on an attack error and a crucial block by Gladhill, moving ahead 8-7. Despite Lubbock Christian's efforts to regain control, a series of errors by their side allowed the Buffs to seize the momentum. Watson's strategic play, contributing both kills and forcing opponent errors, edged the team ahead.
 
The closing moments saw a decisive 5-0 run by the Lady Buffs, highlighted by kills from Becker and Marusak, sealing the set at 15-11. The home team demonstrated resilience and effective teamwork to secure the win in the final set.
 
Marusak led defensively with 22 digs and contributed 20.5 points overall. Stow was a key presence at the net, posting nine total blocks and 22 points. Becker added to the team's effort with 19 digs and 18 points. Pemberton excelled in the back row, collecting 26 digs over the sets.
 
Lily Bickley had a strong performance with 19 kills and a hitting percentage of .447. She also contributed defensively with five total blocks and earned 22.5 points. Emilee Sikora added 21 kills with a .268 hitting percentage, contributing 22 points to the team's efforts. Abby Dominguez led the defensive efforts with 25 digs, while Camdyn Sears facilitated the attack with 52 assists and contributed 17 digs on defense.
 
The Lady Buffs hit the road this weekend for Lone Star Conference action as they travel to Odessa on Friday night to take on the Falcons of UT Permian Basin with first serve set for 6:00 p.m.