Box Score SAN ANTONIO — A stunning performance from senior
Melissa Heft was spoiled by Rattler Volleyball's grueling, five-set loss to Lubbock Christian on opening night Thursday.
St. Mary's opened its season inside Bill Greehey Arena Thursday, kicking off the season with Heartland Conference play and battling the Chaps to favor a 2-1 lead but fell in five, 25-23, 22-25, 25-19, 24-26 and 15-13.
Heft (San Antonio) dominated the net for the Rattlers, tying a career-best 16 kills with a team-high 17.5 points while nearly hitting .500.
Heft hit .400 against the Chaps, totaling 35 attacks with her team-high 16 kills that kept the Rattlers in the heat of their first victory but the Chaps were a force on the outside.
Chaps Channing Castleberry and Maddie Johnson powered the Chaps' five-set thriller, combining for 35 of the team's 71 total kills to help the Chaps to a .225 hitting percentage.
For the Rattlers, libero
Victorria Martinez (Sr., Arlington, Texas) led with 26 digs and setter
Rachael Scicchitano (So., McKinney, Texas) had a team-high 25 assists.
The season and conference opener for both teams Thursday started the Rattlers with a 0-1 overall and league record and the Chaps with a 1-0 overall and league record.
The Rattlers continue their weekend play at 6 p.m. Friday against Southern Nazarene inside Bill Greehey Arena.
