Posted 09/03/16, 8:42 PM CST

DENTON (AM News Net)  –  The Texas Woman's University volleyball team were hoping to start their season undefeated in the Hilton Garden Inn Classic this weekend. The Pioneers swept the first day of the matches with two wins. The Pioneers beat Newman in only three sets, though within five points each time. Then, TWU Volleyball took down Colorado State-Pueblo in five sets. However, the Pioneers' hopes were let down today, losing to Harding in the morning, and again to Lubbock Christian in the afternoon, both in four sets.

"I think we were tired," TWU interim volleyball head coach Jessica Beener. "Once we got tired we stopped communicating."

Lubbock Christian took the lead from the start of the game, taking set 1 25-15. The Pioneers fought back in set 2 to tie the game, finishing the second set 25-18. Despite this, the LCU Chaps ran off with the last two sets, winning with a 25-11 and 25-18 score in the third and fourth sets, respectively. 

"Early in the season, you want to talk about making adjustments early," Coach Beener said. "And of course, [the players] are still trying to get their chemistry down."

Beener hopes the girls can get used to playing with each other and managing new positions they are put in.

"We're running a crazy lineup right now," she said. "We have people in positions that they have never played before. So really, I just want them to come together as a team, and that's what we've really been talking about this weekend."

Eight of the TWU volleyball players were recently hospitalized for rhabdomyolysis, or a breakdown of muscle tissue, which has thrown off the lineups and who is permitted to play.

"I think once we get healthy and have our whole team back, we're going to compete," Beener said. "We're going to win some games. But, like I said, it's going to take a little bit [of time] to get our team together and for them to get used to playing next to each other."

Coach Beener hopes the players can overcome any mistakes after some rest before they continue their season in Florida.

"We're excited about next weekend," she said. "Hopefully the girls can get some time off and some rest, and then we're going to turn around. We have some tough teams to play next weekend in Florida. So, we're going to go compete down there and hopefully come up with a few wins."

TWU will continue their season next against Florida Southern in Lakeland, Florida on September 9th at 6:00 PM CST.

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