Dixie State volleyball opened play at the Lubbock Christian-hosted Chap Classic with a decisive 3-1 victory over Texas-Permian Basin Thursday afternoon at the Rip Griffin Center.

The Trailblazers came out of the gate swinging as DSU (2-3) rolled to a quick 2-0 match lead. Dixie State used an 8-3 run midway through the opening set to turn a one-point game into a 25-18 win, and kept that momentum going to claim set two in a 25-20 triumph.

UTPB (4-1) never trailed in the third frame as the Falcons raced out to a 6-1 advantage. Dixie State managed to stay within striking distance in an effort to complete the sweep and had cut the deficit down to 24-23 late, but UTPB scored the final point to extend the match. The Blazers made quick work of the Falcons in the fourth thanks to an 8-0 spurt that turned a 9-8 lead into a 17-8 cushion and DSU rolled from there to clinch the match win, 25-14.

To'a Faleao made her 2019 debut a memorable one as she struck for a game-high 15 kills and 10 digs, while Lizzy Clark and Sydney Johnson tallied 11 kills apiece. Clark also collected a match-high five total blocks (1 solo), while Johnson and Lauren Gammell each had four total blocks, and Jordyn Nelson finished with 24 assists and 12 digs.

Dixie State connected for a season-high .266 hitting percentage and had 58 kills to just 16 attack errors in the four sets. DSU held UTPB to a .151 clip thanks to 66 digs and 10 total team blocks.

The Trailblazers continue tournament play at LCU Friday with two matches, the first coming against Southwestern Oklahoma State at 10 a.m. (MT), followed by a date vs. Pittsburg State at 4 p.m. (MT).