DENTON, Texas – The Wichita State University volleyball team fell to Stephen F. Austin, 3-1, in its opening match of the North Texas Challenge Friday, Sept. 14, at the North Texas Volleyball Center. The Ladyjacks, who were picked as the preseason favorite in the Southland Conference, won by set scores of 21-25, 24-26, 25-23 and 24-26.

Wichita State (4-5) is scheduled to continue play in the North Texas Challenge tonight at 6 p.m. against the host North Texas Mean Green.

Tabitha Brown posted a match-high 15 kills and hit .423 while Kali Eaken surpassed 1,000 career assists with 34 assists, and Giorgia Civita added a match-best 15 digs to lead the Shockers.

Wichita State and Stephen F. Austin (11-2) were tied, 18-18, in the first set before the Ladyjacks scored eight of the final 10 points in the frame to claim a 25-21 victory and jump out to a 1-0 advantage.

In set two, neither team gained more than a two-point edge the entire set, with Stephen F. Austin claiming a 26-24 win after a service ace by Marisabel Torres.

A kill from Alex Koon and service ace from Megan Taflinger broke a 13-13 tie in the third set and allowed the Shockers to gain a lead that it would not relinquish on their way to a 25-23 win to force a fourth set.

The Ladyjacks jumped out to an early lead in the fourth set and led by six points at 24-18 before the Shockers mounted a furious rally and scored six straight points, tying the set at 24 after a Stephen F. Austin attacking error on a Civita serve. The Ladyjacks were able to score the final two points of the set, however, to clinch the match.

Wichita State hit .252 for the match and had a season-high nine service aces but committed 25 attacking errors compared to only 17 miscues for the Ladyjacks.

Danae Daron posted 12 kills and Ann Hollas and Torres each had seven digs, leading Stephen F. Austin.