Texas Tech University Athletics
Weekly Volleyball Release
August 26, 1999 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 26, 1999
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech enters the 1999 season against New Mexico State on Wednesday in the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum. The match begins at 7 p.m. That is the first time Texas Tech will begin a season
This weekend (Sept. 3-4) Texas Tech will host the Four Points Classic Tournament in the Coliseum. Four teams will visit Lubbock including SMU, Wright State, North Carolina State and Utah.
On Sunday (Sept. 5), Texas Tech will play its sixth match in five days as the Red Raiders will host UT-Pan American at 2 p.m. in the Coliseum.
With the United Spirit Arena nearing completion, Texas Tech will play in various venues in Lubbock including the Civic Center, Coronado High School and the Coliseum. The new arena is scheduled for a probable Nov. 8 opening and the first Texas Tech volleyball game to played there is scheduled for Nov. 13 against Colorado.
PRESEASON NOTES
Texas Tech volleyball has won 20+ matches the last four seasons.
Texas Tech volleyball has appeared in the NCAA Tournament three of the last four seasons.
Six-foot-seven outside hitter Colleen Smith, recently selected the Big 12 preaseason Newcomer of the Year is the tallest player to ever play at Texas Tech (possibly the tallest to ever play in the Big 12).
Texas Tech volleyball has won eight of its last 11 pre-conference invitationals.
Texas Tech head coach Jeff Nelson needs eight victories to reach the 100-total for his career. Nelson is 92-43 in four years at Texas Tech.
BIG 12 RELEASES COACHES' PICKS
Colleen Smith selected Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, Lori Garber, Courtney Putnam earn votes for all conference
DALLAS, Texas--Texas Tech?s Colleen Smith was named the Big 12 Conference volleyball preseason Newcomer of the Year while seniors Lori Garber and Courtney Putnam both earned votes for the preseason all conference team in a vote of the league?s head coaches released Tuesday by the conference office. Nebraska is picked to win the 1999 Big 12 Conference volleyball championship, while the Huskers? Nancy Meendering is the preseason favorite for Player of the Year. Texas Tech was picked to finish sixth.
The defending Big 12 champion and national semifinalist Huskers received 10 (coaches weren?t allowed to vote for their own team) first-place votes. Texas A&M is picked to finish second, followed by Texas, winner of the 1997 conference title, in third. Colorado is the fourth-place choice, with Kansas State fifth and Texas Tech sixth. The top six teams all competed in the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
Smith, a six-foot-seven transfer from Washington State, is a .213 career hitter. Garber was selected an All Region player after leading the Red Raiders in hitting percentage (.346) and averaging 3.51 kills and 1.20 blocks per game. Putnam owns school records for match kills (32) and match attempts (74). Last year she hit .239 with 3.32 kills and 2.28 digs per game.
Nebraska?s Nancy Meendering was named the preseason Player of the Year. A 6-1 junior outside hitter, Meendering was a first-team all-conference and AVCA All-American last season. In addition she was named MVP of the NCAA Tournament Pacific Regional. Joining Meendering on the preseason All-Big 12 team is Baylor?s Elisha Polk, Colorado?s Kelly Campbell, Texas? Erin Aldrich, and Texas A&M?s Amber Woolsey and Jenna Moscovic.
Nebraska?s Laura Pilakowski is the preseason pick for Freshman of the Year. The 6-1 outside hitter/middle blocker attended Columbus High School in Columbus, Neb.
BIG 12 PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Nebraska-100, 2. Texas A&M-91, 3. Texas-75, 4. Colorado-69, 5. Kansas State-64, 6. TEXAS TECH-61, 7. Baylor-45, 8. Oklahoma-36, 9. Kansas-27, 10. Missouri-26, 11. Iowa State-11 (Rank and points received)
PRESEASON VOLLEYBALL TEAM
First Team: Elisha Polk, Baylor, Kelly Campbell, Colorado, Nancy Meendering, Nebraska, Erin Aldrich, Texas, Jenna Moscovic, Texas A&M, Amber Woolsey, Texas A&M
Others Receiving Votes: Amanda Reves, Kansas, Dawn Cady, Kansas State, Disney Bronnenberg, Kansas State, Liz Wegner, Kansas State, Mandy Monson, Nebraska, Angie Oxley, Nebraska, Tonia Tauke, Nebraska, Summer Strickland, Texas A&M, Lori Garber, Texas Tech, Courtney Putnam, Texas Tech
Player of the Year: Nancy Meendering, Nebraska, OH, 6-1, Jr/2L, Hull, Iowa
Newcomer of the Year: Colleen Smith, Texas Tech, MB/OH, 6-7, Jr/TR, Albuquerque, N.M. (Washington State)
Freshman of the Year: Laura Pilakowski, Nebraska, OH/MB, 6-1, Fr/HS, Columbus, Neb. (Columbus HS)
AVCA RELEASES PRESEASON POLL
Texas Tech receives 89 points, Red Raiders to begin season with highest ranking since 1993
Texas Tech volleyball will begin its 1999 season ranked 27th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason volleyball coaches poll released Thursday by the AVCA. The Red Raiders received 89 total points in the poll and were one of seven Big 12 Conference schools who earned votes. Other Big 12 schools with votes include Nebraska (3rd), Texas (13th), Texas A&M (16th), Colorado (19th), Kansas State (23rd) and Baylor (16 votes).
The 27th national ranking is the highest Texas Tech will begin a season since 1993 when Texas Tech began is season ranked 27th.
NELSON SELECTED FOR AVCA ALL AMERICA COMMITTEE
Texas Tech volleyball coach is named the District 5 chairman/All America representative
Texas Tech volleyball coach Jeff Nelson was selected as Chairman of the American Volleyball Coaches Association District 5 committee and representative on the AVCA Division I All America committee.
The AVCA is divided into eight different districts. Each district has a Chairman which represents the district on the All America committee. The committees are responsible for choosing All District players in each of the eight districts along with All America players. Players must earn All District honors before they are eligible for All America honors.
Nelson has served as an AVCA district committee member for District 5 for the past two seasons. Illinois State head coach Julie Morgan is the Chairman of the All America committee.
