Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
New Mexico St
Tech Earns Home Win No. 250 in Dominating Fashion
September 17, 2002 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 17, 2002
LUBBOCK, Texas - Sophomore Laura Grote dumped a free ball into an open space inside the 10-foot line to finish off the New Mexico State Aggies, 3-0, at the United Spirit Arena for the programs 250th home win Tuesday night before a crowd of 453.
The Red Raiders (5-4) got a much-needed win in its final non-conference match and they did it as a team.
New Mexico State (8-3) saw its eight match winning streak snapped as it was held to just a .108 hitting percentage and did not have a single player record double digit kills.
Tech fell behind early to the Aggies as NMSU opened game one with a 7-2 run. Freshman Breanna Prusley entered the game and immediately recorded a pair of kills to get things back on track. From that point on the Red Raiders and Aggies traded points with neither team able to get a major run, until the score was knotted at 23. That is when Tech erupted for seven of the final 10 points, taking game one, 30-26.
Game two was a dogfight as there were 14 ties and 15 lead changes. But with the game tied at 20 a piece, Tech would take the lead for good and win 10 of the final 16 points and more importantly take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Tech was led by junior Angela Mooney who pounded out 13 kills on 20 attempts with only one error for a .600 hitting percentage. Kelly Johnson added 13 kills of her own and 10 digs for her second consecutive double-double. All eyes were on Melissa McGehee as she approached the school's all-time kills record, but it would not happen tonight. The Kerrville, Texas, native did manage to record her fourth straight double-double with 11 kills and 12 digs.
The Red Raiders completed the sweep of NMSU by coming out of the locker room with the fire that aided them in winning the first two games and cruised to a 30-18 win.
Tech will now open Big 12 Conference play with a bit of momentum as they travel to Ames, Iowa, this weekend to play the 9-2 Cyclones. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start.
