Texas Tech University Athletics
Volleyball Preview: Texas Tech at No. 11 Texas
October 15, 2010 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 15, 2010
LUBBOCK, Texas - After a close 3-2 loss Wednesday night at the hands of Colorado, the Texas Tech volleyball looks to rebound in the state capital as the Red Raiders take on the 11th-ranked Texas Longhorns at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Gregory Gymnasium.
THE SERIES
With 18-straight wins in the series, Texas controls the series with a 68-9-2 all-time advantage. Tech has not defeated the Longhorns since the 2000 season when it swept UT at home and earned a 3-1 victory in Austin.
THE RED RAIDERS
The Red Raiders were unable to create a home winning streak Wednesday night as Colorado overcame a two-set deficit to win, 3-2. Tech had previously defeated Kansas on Oct. 2 in another close 3-2 match. The loss dropped Tech to 3-14 on the season and 1-7 entering Big 12 play.
After posting a career-high 37 kills against the Buffaloes, Preseason All-Big 12 selection Amanda Dowdy is currently third in the conference in kills per set (4.07) and points per set (4.57). Aubree Piper is averaging 2.02 kills per set, while Karlyn Meyers is averaging 9.19 assists per set, eighth highest in the Big 12.
On the defensive end, libero Jackie Vincent has been a consistent option for head coach Trish Knight, posting 196 digs on the year, while middle blocker Barbara Conceicao leads the squad with 1.04 blocks per set, ninth highest in the Big 12.
SCOUTING TEXAS
Winners of its last three matches, Texas enters this weekend 11-5 overall and 6-2 in Big 12 play with four of its five losses coming to teams ranked in the top 10 nationally. The 11th-ranked Longhorns fell to in-state rival Texas A&M, 3-0, in the conference opener.
With the Longhorns ranked No. 2 in the country and on their way to eventually advancing to the NCAA Championship match, Tech shocked Texas last year in Austin by winning the opening set. The Longhorns eventually responded to take a 3-1 victory, but the set victory was only Tech's third in its previous eight encounters with Texas, giving the Red Raiders confidence for the rest of the season.
After losing All-American Destinee Hooker, Texas is led offensively by the duo of Juliann Faucette and Rachael Adams who are both averaging around three kills per set. Adams is second in the Big 12 with a .433 hitting percentage, while setter Hannah Allison is fourth in the conference with 9.86 assists per set. Texas is led by head coach Jerritt Elliott, who is 225-69 in his 10th season.
LOOKING AHEAD
In the midst of possibly its toughest portion of the 2010 schedule, Tech travels to face No. 3 Nebraska for a 7 p.m. match next Wednesday in Lincoln. The Red Raiders return to the United Spirit Arena on Oct. 23 to begin a two-match homestand against Oklahoma. The match will be "Dig for the Cure" night and all fans are encouraged to wear pink. Fans wearing pink can buy tickets for only $1.
RECAPPING THE LAST MATCH
Despite winning the first two sets, Tech could not hold on against Colorado as the Buffaloes rallied to win the final three sets, including a back and forth fifth frame that went all the way to 28-26, for a 3-2 victory Wednesday night at the United Spirit Arena. Tech had not previously lost a five-set match this season.
DOWDY'S NIGHT TO REMEMBER - PART 2
For those who considered Amanda Dowdy's 25-kill performance against Kansas the best of her career, they might have to reconsider their opinion now. Dowdy unleashed a Texas Tech record 37 kills against Colorado while also adding a career-high 20 digs for her eighth career double-double and fifth one of the season. The junior attempted 87 attacks on the night, six shy of the Tech and Big 12 record. The conference record for most kills in a match is 40.
DOWDY TOPS IN THE BIG 12
Amanda Dowdy's 37 kills easily surpassed the previous Big 12 season high of 29 set by Paola Ampudia of Missouri in the Tigers' 3-1 loss to Oklahoma. Through four sets against Colorado, Dowdy had 30 kills before adding seven more in the final frame. Her 87 attempts also easily topped the previous conference high of 73 by Kelsey Black of Texas A&M.
DON'T FORGET MEYERS
With all the individual success in the Kansas and Colorado matches, some may forget about the person who calls all the action - the setter. Karlyn Meyers recorded 48 assists against the Jayhawks and added a career-high 67 assists against the Buffaloes, trumping her previous high of 51 against Texas State earlier this season.
ROBERTS PROVIDES SPARK OFF BENCH
Alexxa Roberts seems to know the best way to provide a spark. Just over a week after posting a career-high nine blocks in Tech's victory over Kansas, the senior was at it again against Colorado, but this time on the offensive end. Roberts finished with a career-high 14 kills in the match, providing setter Karlyn Meyers another option besides Amanda Dowdy.
PIPER FINDING HER GROOVE
Aubree Piper may be finding her groove midway through her freshman season. The Amarillo native has posted 33 kills over the last three matches, but in the process, has been Tech's most accurate hitter, posting a .400 hitting percentage against Kansas and a .312 percentage at Iowa State. She added a career-high 13 kills against Colorado. The freshman is currently second on the team with a 2.02 kills per set average.
DIG FOR THE CURE
Texas Tech fans are encouraged to fill the United Spirit Arena with pink on Oct. 23 when the Red Raiders battle Oklahoma in the "Dig for the Cure" match. The Red Raiders will be wearing specially-made pink uniforms by Under Armour that will be auctioned following the match. All proceeds will benefit the Lubbock-based Susan G. Koman organization.
SPEAKING OF DOWDY...
After two and a half seasons at one of Tech's primary offensive targets, junior Amanda Dowdy is inching closer to joining the top 10 for several career categories on the school's all-time chart, namely kills and total attempts. Here is a rundown of where the Lexington, Texas native currently stands:
Career Kills
1. Kelly Johnson (2001-04) - 1,925
2. Melissa McGehee (1992-02) - 1,333
9. Kim Gosselin (1989-92) - 962
10. Jennifer Cohn (1992-95) - 957
Amanda Dowdy (2008-Pres.) - 861
Career Attack Attempts
1. Kelly Johnson (2001-04) - 5,142
2. Melissa McGee (1999-02) - 3,368
9. Kiley Lyons (2003-06) - 2,680
10. Brande Brown (1994-97) - 2,600
Amanda Dowdy (2008-Pres.) - 2,323
VINCENT SOLID AT LIBERO
Jackie Vincent continues to shine at the libero position with the senior digging 14 balls against Missouri and 18 against Kansas State, one shy of matching her career high. Vincent posted 15 digs against Baylor and another 13 digs versus Kansas to increase her season total to 196. The senior has been in double-digits in seven of Tech's previous eight matches, including 18 digs against Colorado, one shy of her career set earlier in the year against Texas State.
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER FOR DOWDY
Prior to Tech's match versus Kansas, no one on the Tech staff could definitely say what kind of impact Amanda Dowdy would have. Coming off an ankle injury the match before against Baylor, Dowdy put away any doubt early as the junior posted a double-double in only two sets. The junior finished with a career-high 25 kills to along with 15 digs, while also posting a season-high .283 hitting percentage. The double-double was Dowdy's fourth of the season and seventh of her Tech career.
NEILL SETS CAREER HIGH AGAINST BUFFALOES
The Red Raiders received a nice boost on the back row from Candice Neill as the sophomore recorded a career-high 16 digs against Colorado. Neill's previous career high was 11 digs set against Baylor.
