Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Host Aggies For Final Time Wednesday Night
October 18, 2011 | Women's Volleyball
Texas Tech is encouraging all fans to wear black to Wednesday's match.
Oct. 18, 2011
Tech Match Notes | A&M Notes | Promotions
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech will host Texas A&M for the final time as Big 12 Conference members Wednesday evening when the Aggies travel to Lubbock for a 6:30 p.m. match at the United Spirit Arena. The match will be aired live locally on Fox News Now.
| GAMEDAY INFORMATION | |
| Date | Wednesday, October 19 |
| Location | Lubbock, Texas (United Spirit Arena) |
| Time | 6:30 p.m. (CT) |
| Television | Fox News Now (Suddenlink Channel No. 9) |
| Radio | KTXT 88.1 FM |
| Live Video | Raider Vision All-Access |
| Live Stats | Gametracker |
THE SERIES
With eight-straight victories in the series, Texas A&M controls a 52-29 all-time lead in the series as Tech's last win over the Aggies came on Nov. 18, 2006 in a 3-0 win at the United Spirit Arena. Since then, Tech has only won one set against the Aggies. During the Big 12 era, the Red Raiders have only been 7-23 against A&M, including a 4-11 mark in Lubbock.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Red Raiders head north this weekend to face the Kansas Jayhawks at 6:30 p.m. Saturday night in Lawrence. Tech returns to the United Spirit Arena on Oct. 26 for a 6:30 p.m. match against Baylor.
BLACKOUT THE AGGIES
Texas Tech is encouraging all fans to fill the United Spirit Arena in black Wednesday as the Red Raiders blackout the Aggies. Tech has also done a similar promotion this year for its football and soccer contests against Texas A&M. The first 150 fans through the gates will receive a free sandwich from Schlotzky's.
DOWDY LIKELY TO PASS ANOTHER MILESTONE
Amanda Dowdy will likely move to second all-time in career kills against the Aggies as the senior is just five shy of tying Melissa McGehee, who totaled 1,333 total during the 1999-02 seasons. Dowdy, who is already second on the school's career attempts chart, dropped 22 kills against Missouri last Saturday, putting her in position to make another move up the career leaderboard after entering the year ranked fifth overall. The Lexington, Texas native is only the eighth player in school history to reach 1,000 kills in a career. Kelly Johnson is the school's all-time leader in both kills and attempts as she totaled 1,925 career kills and 5,142 attempts during the 2001-04 seasons.
RED RAIDERS THREE WINS SHY OF FIRST WINNING SEASON SINCE 2001
Tech's magic number to ensure a winning season is at three entering Wednesday night's match at Texas. Tech still has 10 conference matches left and one non-conference matchup remaining at San Jose State. The Red Raiders' last winning season came in 2001 when Tech finished 18-14 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
GETTING THE SWAGGER BACK
Part of head coach Don Flora's message to the Red Raiders this week has been to stick with the plan and get back to the confidence Tech showed during the non-conference schedule. Tech has already defeated two squads ranked in the top 100 of this week's RPI rankings (New Mexico and Morehead State) and came close to knocking off 22nd-ranked Oklahoma a few week back in Lubbock.
PASS AND SERVE, PASS AND SERVE
After totaling only two aces combined in its last three matches, Tech returned to its earlier form against Missouri, notching seven, its third-highest amount this season. The Red Raiders' problem, though, was that they surrendered 10 aces of their own while also recording nine service errors, giving the Tigers additional points to secure the win.
RANGEL MAKING AN IMPACT ON THE BLOCK
Dravon Rangel has provided some relief to a Tech front row during the absence of Aubree Piper as the sophomore has 28 blocks during Big 12 play for a 1.40 per set average that is ranked second in the league. Rangel has posted six blocks each in three of Tech's last four matches with the lone exception being at Texas last week.
TECH AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN BLOCKS
The Red Raiders enter this week's matches currently ranked fifth nationally in blocks per set as Tech has a 3.07 average. Tech has been ranked as high as second this year, while middle blocker Mikia Mills is currently tied for 73rd overall with a 1.13 per set average and right-side Miara Cave is a spot below in a tie for 80th with a 1.12 ratio.
DAVID COMING ALONG AS OF LATE
Despite being one of Tech's regular go-to options on the attack, Breeann David has stepped up her productivity over the last six matches, finishing in double-digits in four of those. The freshman is averaging right at 11 kills per match during that span after dropping 13 last weekend at Missouri.
FLORA MAKING QUICK CHANGES TO TECH
Prior to his arrival, Texas Tech had only 11 wins over its last three seasons. Don Flora surpassed that total in mid-September. Now, the first-year head coach is aiming to put Tech in the midst of the Big 12 race as the Red Raiders have only won three conference matches during the past three years. After opening the conference schedule with back-to-back matches against ranked opponents, the Red Raiders are in the midst of playing four of their next six matches on the road with home matches against Kansas State and Texas A&M during that span.
MEYERS MOVING UP RECORD BOOK TOO
Karlyn Meyers moved into sole possession of sixth on the school's career assists chart during the Texas match. Only the eighth player in school history to reach 2,000 assists in a career, Meyers passed Emily Ziegler (2004-07) as she has now dished 2,506 assists during her four seasons. There is a significant gap between Meyers and Sheila Solomon (1987-90) for fifth all-time as Solomon totaled 3,307 assists during the sideout scoring era.
RED RAIDERS AMONG TOP 100 IN FIRST RPI POLL
Tech was among the top 100 schools listed in the inaugural ratings percentage index poll released by the NCAA. The Red Raiders were picked 93rd overall, a step up from previous seasons when Tech would not have been among the top 100 ranked.
