Texas Tech University Athletics
Volleyball Preview: Texas Tech at No. 3 Nebraska
October 19, 2010 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 19, 2010
LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech volleyball team will make its first television appearance of the season when it travels to No. 3 Nebraska on Wednesday night for a 7 p.m. match at the Nebraska Coliseum. The match will be aired nationally on CBS College Sports.
THE SERIES
In a series that dates back to 1979, Texas Tech will be looking for its second win all-time against Nebraska as its only previous victory came off a 3-2 decision on Oct. 26, 1996, in Lubbock. The Cornhuskers have controlled the series with a 32-1 advantage after winning 27-straight matches.
THE RED RAIDERS
The Red Raiders will be facing their second-consecutive ranked opponent in No. 3 Nebraska. Tech fell to then-No. 11 Texas, 3-0 last Saturday in Austin to fall to 3-15 overall, 1-8 in Big 12 play.
After posting a career-high 37 kills against Colorado, Preseason All-Big 12 selection Amanda Dowdy is currently fourth in the conference in kills per set (4.00) and points per set (4.49). In Big 12 matches only, Dowdy is leading the conference with a 4.50 kills per set average and 4.88 points per set. Aubree Piper is averaging 1.96 kills per set, while Karlyn Meyers is averaging 9.04 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 203 digs on the year, while middle blocker Barbara Conceicao leads the squad with 1.00 blocks per set, 10th-highest in the Big 12.
SCOUTING NEBRASKA
Winners of 16-straight matches, Nebraska enters Wednesday night with a 17-1 overall record and atop the Big 12 leaderboard after winning its first nine conference matches. The Cornhuskers only loss of the year came in a 3-2 deficit to Florida, the No. 1-ranked team in the latest AVCA poll, in only the second match of the year. Tech can expect a sellout crowd as Cornhusker fans have filled the Nebraska Coliseum for 141-straight matches, the longest streak across all NCAA women's athletics.
Nebraska boasts the conference's top offense as the Huskers lead in kills, assists, blocks and trail only Texas in hitting percentage. Lindsey Licht and Brooke Delano provide a one-two punch on the attack as the duo averages around six kills per set together with Delano also leading the Big 12 with a .438 hitting percentage. The Huskers run a two-setter system with Sydney Anderson and Lauren Cook both averaging around six assists per set.
On the defense, Kayla Banwarth is third in the conference with a 4.80 digs per set average, while Delano is tops among Big 12 players with a 1.50 blocks per set average. John Cook is in his 11th season at Nebraska, boasting a 458-98 career record. Nebraska advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals in 2009.
ON THE AIR
Texas Tech fans can watch all the action live as CBS College Sports will air the match nationally. Nebraska will also stream the match live over its athletics website, www.huskers.com.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Red Raiders return to the United Spirit Arena this Saturday when Oklahoma comes to town for a 1 p.m. first serve. The match will be Tech's inaugural "Dig for the Cure" promotion as the Red Raiders will wear specially-designed pink jerseys that will be auctioned following the match.
RECAPPING THE LAST MATCH
The Red Raiders fell to 11th-ranked Texas, 3-0, last Saturday at Gregory Gymnasium in Austin. The Longhorns hit over .400 for the match, while limiting the Tech offense in all three sets. Amanda Dowdy led Tech with eight kills, while Jackie Vincent added seven digs on the back row.
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 AN ADDED SPARK
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.) - 869
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.) - 2,359
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 as she now has 203 digs on the year. The senior has been in double-digits in seven of Tech's previous nine matches, including 18 digs against Colorado, one shy of her career set earlier in the year against Texas State.
