Texas Tech Athletics
SMU
SMU Powers Past Tech in Weekend Opener
September 03, 2010 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 3, 2010
DALLAS, Texas - Texas Tech received solid performances by Caroline Courtney and Barbara Conceicao but could not counter an accurate SMU offense as the Mustangs topped the Red Raiders, 3-0, Friday afternoon in the SMU Tournament opener at Moody Coliseum.
Tech got off to its best start to a match this season winning five of the first seven points in the opening set, but SMU quickly turned the tide to tie the set at nine points apiece. The Mustangs did not lay off from there on their way to a 25-15 opening-set win.
After the Red Raiders pulled within a point at 5-4 in the second set, SMU got rolling again winning 11 of the next 16 points. Tech would get its self back in the match at 19-14, but its early deficit would be too much to overcome as the two teams traded points back-and-forth eventually leading to a 25-20 victory.
With their back against the wall, Tech could not get off to a good start to start the third, causing head coach Trish Knight to call a timeout with the score 10-1. The Red Raiders would create some chances from there as Knight inserted a young lineup featuring Sheridan Burgess and Aubree Piper to pull to a 15-9 deficit. The Mustangs would find their offense once again, however, to close the match with a 25-17 victory.
Courtney led all Tech (1-3) players with nine kills and a .389 hitting percentage. Conceicao added seven kills and a team-leading .538 percentage, while Tory Vaughan posted eight digs on the defensive end. SMU (4-0) was led on offense by Kathryn Wilkerson and Jessica Oliver with 12 and nine kills, respectively.
The Red Raiders get a short break before facing UC Davis at 5 p.m. today. The Aggies defeated Texas State, 3-2, in the day's first match.
