Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Volleyball Falls In Season Opener
August 31, 2001 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 31, 2001
LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech Volleyball team didn't get the 2001 season started off the way they had hoped as the 25th ranked Georgia Tech Yellowjackets won the match in straight games 30-26, 30-23 and 32-30.
The Red Raiders (0-1) started off the first-game in quick fashion jumping out to an early 10-6 lead over Georgia Tech. The Yellowjackets (1-0) tied the game at 15 and then took control thanks to several key blocks by the Georgia Tech middle. Down 23-18, the Red Raiders battled back and tied the game at 23 thanks to a 5-0 scoring run keyed by big hits by freshman Kelly Johnson. Tech's 5-0 rally would not be enough as Georgia Tech responded with a 4-0 scoring run to win the first game 30-26.
It was all Georgia Tech in game-two as the Yellowjackets never surrendered the lead in a 30-23 win giving them a 2-0 advantage at the intermission. Tech jumped out early 2-1 but Georgia Tech took control from that point thanks to superior blocking by the Yellowjacket middle blockers.
Texas Tech's defense was sluggish in the start of the third game as Georgia Tech took an early 8-2 lead. Senior setter Skydra Orzen put up a huge block on the right side sparking at Tech comeback that would bring the Red Raiders within one (11-10). A back row attack error late in the game by Georgia Tech tied the score at 24 a piece. A blocking error by Texas Tech and an attack error by sophomore Courtney Shambuagh gave the Yellowjackets the lead at 26-24. Tech forced the game to extra points but was unable to do much else as the match ended when freshman Samantha Harvey was called for being over the net giving Georgia Tech the game win 32-30 and the match 3-0.
Leading the way for Texas Tech was freshman outside hitter Kelly Johnson who paced the squad with 14 kills and eight digs. Texas Tech returns to the court again on Friday as they face Rhode Island in a match that begins at 5 p.m. (MT).
