Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Volleyball Begins Season in Houston
August 25, 2010 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 25, 2010
LUBBOCK, Texas - After several weeks of practice and numerous meetings, the 2010 Texas Tech volleyball season is finally upon us. The Red Raiders kickoff the new season Friday night in the Rice Tournament against the host Owls before facing both Ole Miss and UTSA on Saturday in Tudor Fieldhouse.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 27
Ole Miss vs. UTSA - 4:30 p.m.
Texas Tech at Rice - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 28
Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss - 10:30 a.m.
UTSA at Rice - 12:30 p.m.
Texas Tech vs. UTSA - 5 p.m.
Ole Miss at Rice - 7:30 p.m.
RED RAIDERS IN SEASON OPENERS
Tech has historically fared well in season openers as the Red Raiders are 28-10 all-time. Tech's last season-opening victory came in 2008 when it defeated North Texas, 3-0. The Red Raiders have never opened the season against Rice.
THE SERIES
The Red Raiders enter this weekend with a more than favorable all-time record against all three opponents.
- Tech is 25-8 all-time against Rice, winning 16 of the last 17 matches in the series. The two schools have not met since 2005 when the Red Raiders defeated the Owls twice during the season. That year marked the only time since the end of Southwest Conference the two schools have faced each other.
- The Red Raiders have faced Ole Miss only once in their history, defeating the Rebels, 2-0, on Sept. 19, 1981.
- Despite both being in-state schools, Tech and UTSA have only met twice previously with the Red Raiders winning both meetings by a 3-0 score. The two schools have not met since Aug. 29, 1997.
THE RED RAIDERS
Texas Tech returns 10 letterwinners off last season's squad who went 2-27 in the first season under head coach Trish Knight. Despite struggles during her first season, Knight has a talented group still on the bench in juniors Amanda Dowdy and Karlyn Meyers along with seniors Jackie Vincent, Barbara Conceicao, Alexxa Roberts, and Caroline Courtney. Sophomores Miara Cave, Tory Vaughan and Aleah Hayes add to a talented group of freshman and transfer athletes to give Knight more depth in her second season.
SCOUTING RICE
Rice is coming off their third NCAA Championship appearance in the last six years following last season's 23-9 campaign that ended in a first-round loss to TCU. Eight letterwinners return from that squad, including four starters, most noteably Preseason All-Conference USA selections Tracey Lam (libero), Ashleigh McCord (outside hitter), Meridith Schamun (setter). The Owls are coached by Genny Volpe, who is 113-70 in six seasons.
SCOUTING OLE MISS
The Rebels welcome back most of their roster from its 2009 squad that finished 10-20 in 2009 as 10 letterwinners return to head coach Joe Getzin's squad. Whitney Craven and Regina Thomas are the Rebels' top returning offensive players, while Emily Kvitle returns after posting 578 assists a year ago. On the defensive front, Morgan Springer played the most sets for Ole Miss in 2009, while adding a team-leading 429 digs.
SCOUTING UTSA
After boasting a young squad a year ago, head coach Laura Neugebauer-Groff returns an experienced 2010 squad that includes 11 letterwinners. Following a 12-29 record in 2009, UTSA is predicted to finish fourth in the Southland Conference's West Division by the league's coaches. The Roadrunners top two players, Whitney Walls and Kendra Rowland, picked up Preseason All-Southland Conference accolades prior to the season.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Red Raiders return to the road following this weekend with tournaments scheduled at SMU (Sept. 3-4) and Colorado State (Sept. 10-11). Tech hosts its home and Big 12 opener against Missouri at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15 in the United Spirit Arena.
DOWDY EARNS PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12 HONORS
One of the more versatile players in the country, Amanda Dowdy earned Preseason All-Big 12 accolades prior to the season in a vote of the conference coaches. Dowdy recorded 316 kills and 177 digs a year ago while splitting time between outside hitter and middle blocker.
YOUNG NAMED BIG 12 PRESEASON NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
After a highly successful two-year career at Des Moines Area Community College, Justine Young transferred to Tech in the fall and immediately earned recognition by the conference coaches as she was named the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year. Young was one of the top middle blockers in the junior college ranks following a strong 2009 season.
"BOUNCE"
What began as just another book in an airport has turned into a team motto for Trish Knight. While waiting for a flight on a recruiting visit, Knight glanced and saw Bounce: The Art of Turning Tough Times Into Triumph and immediately began thinking of ways to implement the book's tactics for overcoming adversity and building resiliency. Throughout preseason practices, Knight and the entire team have met for an hour each day to discuss various chapters, comparing the likes and dislikes of particular comments in an attempt to build resiliency and a killer-edge under pressure. The term "Bounce" should be a popular saying in the huddle and during timeouts throughout the season.
MORE ABOUT DOWDY...
When Trish Knight first arrived at Texas Tech, she knew she already had a special player in junior Amanda Dowdy, but little did she know how versatile the Lexington, Texas native was. Dowdy spent the majority of the 2009 season splitting time between outside hitter and middle blocker, allowing Knight the ability to adjust her personnel to various teams' strengths and weaknesses. Dowdy will once again play multiple positions this year.
MORE DEPTH, MORE COMBINATIONS
Seeing a lack of depth when she first arrived, Trish Knight spent the majority of her first months looking for potential players who would add depth and versatility to her roster. She got that with seven newcomers who range in skill sets. The positive for Knight, though, is that the majority of these newcomers can play multiple positions, giving Knight more options.
FAN FEST SET FOR HOME OPENER
Texas Tech fans can meet the Red Raiders along with head coach Trish Knight and her staff prior to the first home match as the program will host its Fan Fest prior to the home opener against Missouri. Various entertainment such as door prizes and an autograph session will begin at 5 p.m. prior to the 6:30 first serve against the Tigers. All tickets for the match will be $1.
HUSKEY SISTERS REUNITE SATURDAY
As Tech freshman Brandy Huskey warms up Saturday, she will see a familiar face across the net, her sister Elise, who is a junior outside hitter at UTSA. The two sisters both attended Columbus High School in their hometown of Columbus, Texas, where they played together in 2007.
RED RAIDERS BEGIN SEASON ON THE ROAD
Like most college programs, the Red Raiders will begin the year on the road for tournaments over the first three weeks of the season. Following this weekend's trip to Rice, Tech travels to tournaments at SMU and Colorado State before hosting Missouri on Sept. 15 in both its home and Big 12 openers.
BIG 12 CONTINUES TO DOMINATE
While rosters change from year to year and coaches move on to new opportunities, one thing remains constant - the Big 12 is still one of the toughest volleyball conferences in the nation with 2010 being no different. Three Big 12 schools, Nebraska, Texas, and Iowa State debuted in the preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association top-25 poll led by the second-ranked Huskers, who were followed by the third-ranked Longhorns and ninth-ranked Cyclones. Baylor, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma all received votes in the poll, also.
SENIORS EXPECT TO LEAD YOUNG SQUAD
With so many new faces joining the roster, Trish Knight will be relying on her four seniors: Caroline Courtney, Alexxa Roberts, Barbara Conceicao, and Jackie Vincent.
NEW FACES
In her first full season as head coach, Trish Knight secured some of the better players both in the state of Texas and also in the junior college ranks. Here is a rundown of each player:
- Sheridan Burgess - An athletic player out of Texas powerhouse Amarillo High School, Burgess was part of three state championship squads as an outside hitter, earning All-District and a few statewide honors during her time. Burgess will play a variety of positions for the Red Raiders.
- Dravon Rangel - Rangel joins Tech after spending a season at Mississippi State where she appeared in 14 matches a year ago. Rangel also has a successful prep career at Grand Prairie High School in Texas where she earned various All-District accolades all four years.
- Aubree Piper - Another talented player out of the Amarillo area, Piper played for Canyon Randall High School where she was named the State Tournament MVP after the Raiders won the Class 4A title a year ago. Piper was also a three-time All-State selection during her four seasons on the varsity squad.
- Brandy Huskey - Huskey is another former All-State selection joining the Red Raiders after leading Columbus High School to the regional championship round a year ago from her setter position. She was also a successful basketball and softball player for the Cardinals.
- Hannah Salyer - Salyer arrives at Tech following a successful prep career at Georgetown High School where she played in the Texas Class 5A state title game last year, eventually falling to now-teammate Sheridan Burgess and Amarillo High.
- Jenna Wagner - One of the top players in New Mexico, Wagner is another player who arrives on campus having won a state championship at Portales High School. She was selected to the All-State squad her sophomore through senior season en route to advancing to the state tournament all four years of high school.
- Justine Young - The top junior college middle blocker in Division II last year, Young should provide an immediate spark to the Red Raiders after being honored as the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year. Like several other newcomers, Young won a high school state title at Aplington Parkersburg High School in Iowa.
UNITED SPIRIT ARENA RECEIVES UPGRADES
When fans enter the United Spirit Arena for the Sept. 15 home opener against Missouri, they will notice a few upgrades made to the facility over the summer. The arena court is in the process of being redesigned with a new paint design, while the main entrance on the west side of the facility has new display cases highlighting the school's basketball programs.
