Texas Tech University Athletics
Nelson and Red Raiders Prepare for Upcoming Weekend
June 21, 1999 | Women's Volleyball
November 9, 1998
LUBBOCK, Texas - On this past weekends matches:
"We played Oklahoma on Friday night. I think weve had about three or four good weeks of practice and weve had some good games. Weve spent a lot of of time increasing the speed of our game. We were able to control the tempo against Oklahoma. We got a great performance from Lori Garber. This weekend she hit over .600 and really played well for us. Saturday night we played Kansas. Theyre ranked in our district and it was a really big match for us. We probably played the best we have all year and shut them down to only five points. We blocked well, passed well and was pleased with what we did. Heather Hughes and Kristen Holmes are passing the ball real well. That has a lot to do with our success. Were getting the ball to the net and weve got people- Garber and Sonia Moric putting it away for us. If they can keep their games on track, we can have alot of success."
On this weekends matches vs. nationally ranked Colorado and Nebraska:
"Weve got Colorado and Nebraska this week. Theyre led by Kelly Campbell in the setting position and Sarah Lodge who was an all conference outside hitter last year and Kristen Dorsch is also putting up big numbers for them. Theyre coming off two losses to Kansas State and Nebraska. That could work for them or against them. Theyre a good team, theyre ranked in the top-20. Its a nationally televised game on Fox. We had a lot of success up there last year and were excited about the match. Nebraska is ranked No. 3 in the nation and its a tough place to play. It will be sold out which is about 4,500 people, its a hostile environment but its a fun place to play. Weve been able to win games up there in a tough environment. If we play well, weve got a chance to do something. This is probably the toughest weekend of the year because its pivotal for us. Being ranked and having success on television is important for your recruiting. Playing well on TV is not as important to how you feel about your team. I think we have a shot to have a top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament. Weve never done that before so that would exciting. Right now were 22nd in the power rankings. If we can pick up one of these two matches this weekend it would help."
On if an NCAA Tournament berth has been wrapped up yet:
"No. I think the magic number for us is two. Weve got six matches- these two matches plus Baylor and Kansas State, which will be a tough match for us at home next weekend then Oklahoma and Kansas again. I think we need to win two to be a lock. Our NCAA ranking is high in the district, our power ranking is high. I think wed have to slip up but I dont see that happening. This is the most confident our team has been in the four years that Ive been here. Theyre having fun on the court and were letting them go. Theyre just out there having a good time right now and Im going to let it go as long as we can because I really like what theyre doing. Theyre confidence level right now is very high right now."
On the teams chemistry:
"This years team is a little bit more a low-key group. They get along and are very accepting of each others difference. They get along and are having a good time with it. Our techinical skills are strong. Were blocking better than we ever have but Id like to see us hit a little bit better. I think its a testament to the mental part of their game."
