LONG BEACH, Calif. – The LMU women's volleyball team officially opened the Trent Kersten chapter of the program's storied history on Saturday afternoon with a battle against the top-ranked team in the country, Texas. The Lions held early leads in all three sets in the match before ultimately falling in three to the Longhorns, 25-22, 25-22, 25-19.
 
The first game opened with the Lions taking a 3-0 lead courtest of an opening kill from Michelle Shaffer and a pair of team blocks. Jacquelyn Moore recorded 6.0 blocks on the day and Kari Geissberger added 5.0 of her own. LMU was all over the net defensively all match long, out-blocking Texas, 12-9. Texas responded by taking their first lead of the day before Shaffer recorded one of her sixth kill to even the score at 4-4. The score remained tight with tie scores at 5-all and 6-all before Texas rattled off six consecutive points. LMU cut the deficit down to three points, at 20-17, forcing the Longhorns to call a timeout. The Lions came within two twice, at 22-20 and 24-22, and fought off two set points before Texas took the opening set.
 
Shaffer helped the Lions to jump out to a 4-0 lead in the second game, with the last two of the opening points coming off service aces. After the Longhorns tied the game at 10-all, LMU scored the next three points to go back on top, 13-10.  Isabelle Bareford set up her teammates Madeline Boerstra and Michelle Shaffer with back-to-back kills during the run. Shaffer recorded her third ace of the to push LMU ahead 17-14, the final time LMU would lead as Texas rattled off the next five unanswered points. The Longhorns took a lead at 19-17 that they would not give up, despite the Lions pulling within one three more times. The Lions once again fended off a pair of set points before Texas pulled away for the win.
 
Kari Geissberger had the early touch from the service line to begin the third set. The senior helped LMU jump out to a 7-1 lead following four consecutive service aces. Texas used a 13-3 run from there to flip the score in favor of the Longhorns. A late run by the Lions brought LMU back to within four, 23-19, before Texas closed out the match.
 
Jacquelyn Moore led the team with seven kills and Sam Hastings finished with a game-high 12 digs.
 
The Lions will have a quick turnaround as they are back in the Pyramid on Sunday afternoon to matchup against hosts Long Beach State for a 4:00 PM contest.
 
The game will again air on ESPN+.
 
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