Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Arizona State
Tech's Upset Turns to Heartbreak
September 15, 2002 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 15, 2002
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech's attempt to upset the Arizona State Sun Devils in the championship match of the Four Points Sheraton/Red Raider Classic was avoided as ASU managed to take the final three games of the match for a 3-2 victory Sunday afternoon at the United Spirit Arena.
Trailing 10-5 in the fifth game, Tech (4-4) managed to rally back to tie the game at 14. But a sideout and a lift call against the Red Raiders were the final blows as the Sun Devils (4-1) emerged as tournament champions.
The Red Raiders came out on fire in taking the first two games of the match, 30-25 and 30-27. In game one the team recorded 22 kills on 45 attempts as it hit .400, while in game two, Tech had 18 kills on 55 attempts.
The Red Raiders couldn't put away the Sun Devils in the third game and let ASU escape with the 30-25 win to force a fourth game. Tech then fell apart. The Red Radiers committed 12 attack errors and only had 12 kills as the Sun Devils pounded out 18 kills to two errors for a .471 attack percentage and evened the match at two games apiece.
Sophomore Kelly Johnson led the Tech offense with a match high 29 kills as one of four Red Raiders with double-digit kills on the day. Seniors Melissa McGehee and Ann Romjue both had double-doubles for the second consecutive matches.
Tech will return to action Tues., Sept. 17, as it takes on the New Mexico State Aggies at 7 p.m. at the United Spirit Arena.
