Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Oklahoma
Strong Defense Not Enough Against No. 25 Sooners
October 10, 2007 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 10, 2007
LUBBOCK, Texas - Despite having one its best defensive efforts of the season, Texas Tech volleyball could not withstand No. 25 Oklahoma Wednesday night in a 3-0 (28-30, 26-30 and 18-30) setback in the United Spirit Arena.
With the loss, the Red Raiders fell to 7-11, 1-8 on the season. Oklahoma, meanwhile, improved to 15-3, 7-1.
After facing some of the hottest teams in the Big 12 the last couple weeks, the Red Raiders raised their defensive intensity Wednesday and held the streaking Sooners to just .169 hitting. Tech also put away 25 blocks, its second-best output of the season, while evening OU at 39 digs apiece. The Tech defense also held one of the conference's top players, Mariana Blum, to just eight kills on .095 hitting.
The Sooners came out as the aggressors early in game one and took a 7-4 lead. The Red Raiders battled back and kept OU at bay long enough to take a 13-10 advantage after a kill from Michelle Flores. A fierce battle began from that point on. Both teams matched each other point for point until the Sooners took advantage of a mini run late to squeak out the two-point win.
The battle resumed as the second game got underway. Tech took the early 7-5 advantage after an OU error. The Red Raiders withstood a Sooner surge and held a 13-11 lead after Brandi Hood knocked down a kill. OU came roaring back from there with a huge 6-0 run to seize the momentum. The Sooners kept the momentum and went up by seven about two thirds of the way through the game. The Red Raiders roared back to within three at 28-25 after a Flores kill. The rally would not last, however, as OU nailed down the final couple points to edge past for the 30-26 win.
It was all Sooners at the start of game one. OU raced out to an early 6-3 lead before eventually extending out to a 10-point advantage. Tech would fight back with a couple runs, but they were not enough. The Sooners eased away with the 18-30 win.
Senior Amy Gandy led the Red Raider defense with 11 digs and a season-best six blocks to go along with five kills. Alicia Ostmeyer added five blocks of her own in addition to her eight kills. Caroline Courtney, Hood and Flores were also turned in strong efforts with four blocks apiece, a career high for Courtney. Flores led Tech with a team-best nine kills, while sophomore transfer Kourtney Dunnam chipped in 31 assists and five digs in her first career start.
Anna Stadel and Francie Ekwerekwu led OU with 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Senior Julie Chester picked up 40 assists from her setter position.
The Red Raiders will have a week off as they prepare for a clash with No. 16 Kansas State next Wednesday in Manhattan, Kan. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
