Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Texas
Texas Edges Texas Tech 3-2
October 31, 2001 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 31, 2001
AUSTIN, Texas - Kelly Johnson led Texas Tech with 21 kills but it wasn't enough as the Texas Longhorns escaped a tight match, 3-2 (30-27, 25-30, 30-25, 28-30, 15-11), on Wednesday night in front of 1,232 fans at Gregory Gymnasium in Austin.
With the loss, Texas Tech falls to 13-9 on the season and 6-7 in Big 12 play while Texas improves to 13-8 and 7-6 in the Big 12.
Texas Tech and Texas battled back and forth for the entire first game as neither team took more than a three-point lead. After 13 lead changes, Texas took a 26-23 lead on a hitting error by junior outside hitter Melissa McGehee. McGehee, however, rallied the Red Raiders late in the game with consecutive kills to bring Tech within one. The Longhorns sealed the game with a service ace giving Texas the win 30-27.
In the second game, it was all Texas Tech as the Red Raiders jumped out to a 7-1 lead and never looked back. Tech was able to extend a lead to 10 points (20-10) late in the match and was able to hold off a late Texas comeback to win the game 30-25. Melissa McGehee paced all Tech hitters at the intermission with nine kills while Heather Hughes-Justice led the team defensively with six digs.
Texas Tech was able to carry over some of the momentum from the second game as the squad jumped out to a 5-1 lead early in the third game. Texas, however, took advantage of key Tech hitting errors and took over the lead 8-7 on an error by Hughes-Justice. Texas built on that lead extending it to as many as seven points (20-13) midway through the game. After spotting Texas 10 points on 10 errors, Tech fell viticm 30-25 giving Texas a 2-1 advantage in the match.
The Red Raiders kept the fourth game close never allowing Texas to take more than a three-point lead. Angela Mooney tied the game at 26-26 and Tech put down back-to-back kills to take a 28-26 lead. Melissa McGehee ended the game with a hard hit kill to the Texas backcourt giving Tech a 30-28 win.
Texas used its home-court advantage by jumping out to a 10-5 lead in the fifth game and Texas Tech was unable to recover as the Longhorns sealed the match with a 15-11 game-five win.
Kelly Johnson and Melissa McGehee led team with 21 and 20 kills respectively. McGehee was the defensive leader with 16 digs. Texas was led by freshman outside hitter Mira Topic who put up a match-high 35 kills.
Texas Tech will return home for a Saturday match with the Colorado Buffaloes at the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
