Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Opens Home Slate With Lonestar Showdown
August 30, 2012 | Women's Volleyball
The Red Raiders open the Lonestar Showdown against Texas-Pan American at 1 p.m. Friday.
VIDEO: Tech Hosts Lonestar Showdown
Aug. 30, 2012
Match Notes | Raider Vision All-Access | Promotions
LUBBOCK, Texas - After a 4-0 start to its season, Texas Tech opens its home schedule this weekend with the Lonestar Showdown as Texas-Pan American, San Jose State, and Northwestern State will all travel to Lubbock for the two-day tournament that begins Friday at the United Spirit Arena.
| TOURNAMENT INFORMATION | |
| Dates | Friday-Saturday, Aug. 31-Sept. 1 |
| Location (Facility) | Lubbock, Texas (United Spirit Arena) |
| Tournament Schedule | Friday, Aug. 31 Northwestern State vs. San Jose State - 10:30 a.m. CT | Texas Tech vs. Texas-Pan American - 1 p.m. | Gametracker | Watch Live Texas-Pan American vs. Northwestern State - 4 p.m. CT | Texas Tech vs. San Jose State - 6 p.m. | Gametracker | Watch Live Saturday, Aug. 25 San Jose State vs. Texas-Pan American - 11 a.m. | Texas Tech vs. Northwestern State - 1 p.m. | Gametracker | Watch Live |
| Radio | KTXT 88.1 FM |
| Promotions | Promotions Schedule |
RED RAIDERS OFF TO BEST START SINCE 2003
Texas Tech's 4-0 performance last weekend at the Boston College Invitational marked the best start to a season since the Red Raiders opened with eight-straight victories in 2003. Tech's longest winning streak to start a season in the NCAA era (1982-present) came in 1996 when the Red Raiders rolled off 15-straight victories en route to finishing 25-9 and earning a postseason selection. The Red Raiders started the 2011 campaign 13-1 overall with their only loss coming in the season opener at TCU.
RED RAIDERS IN HOME OPENERS
Texas Tech has traditionally fared well in home openers, compiling a 29-7 record since 1975, including a 11-5 mark during the Big 12 era. The Red Raiders won their first season opener in three years in 2011, sweeping Central Arkansas in straight sets to open the Texas Tech Invitational. Tech last opened the home schedule against Texas-Pan American in 2004, topping the Broncs, 3-1, to start the Red Raider Classic.
TEXAS TECH IN HOME TOURNAMENTS
In addition to their success in home openers, the Red Raiders have also defended their home court well when hosting tournaments. Texas Tech, which hosted the Texas Tech Invitational last year for the first time since 2008, is 35-9 all-time during the Big 12 era in home tournaments at the United Spirit Arena. The Red Raiders swept through last year's Texas Tech Invitational, defeating Central Arkansas (3-0), Northwestern State (3-0), and Morehead State (3-1).
THE TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN SERIES
The Red Raiders are 5-0 all-time against the Broncs after topping UTPA in straight sets during last year's contest in Edinburg. Texas Tech is 2-0 all-time when playing UTPA in Lubbock as the two teams have not played on the South Plains since the 2004 home opener where the Red Raiders took a 3-1 victory. The Red Raiders also swept UTPA in straight sets in the first-ever meeting between two schools on Sept. 5, 1999, in Lubbock.
THE SAN JOSE STATE SERIES
Texas Tech is 0-2 all-time against the Spartans after falling in five sets on Nov. 15 last year in San Jose. The Red Raiders had previously lost to San Jose State, 3-1, on Sept. 2, 1998, in a neutral-site contest held at the Utah Tournament. This will mark the Spartans' first-ever trip to Lubbock.
THE NORTHWESTERN STATE SERIES
Northwestern State is traveling to Lubbock for the second-straight season this weekend as the Demons were part of the Texas Tech Invitational a year ago. The Red Raiders, who were facing Northwestern State for the first time in school history, swept the Demons in straight sets in the Friday night contest.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
The Red Raiders will close out a four-match homestand Monday with a 2 p.m. match against North Texas at the United Spirit Arena. From there, Tech will return to the road for its next seven matches with trips to the Montana Tournament (Sept. 7-8), Rice Invitational (Sept. 14-15), and a non-conference contest at Nevada (Sept. 19). The Red Raiders return to the United Spirit Arena Sept. 22 for their Big 12 opener against Kansas.
BRUMMITT EARNS BIG 12 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK AFTER IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Rachel Brummitt was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week Monday afternoon after earning MVP honors last weekend at the Boston College Invitational. The sophomore totaled 68 digs and eight aces from the libero position, which was the most among Big 12 players last weekend in both categories. The Plano, Texas native is the first Tech player to receive a conference weekly award since Tory Vaughan was also honored as the defensive player of the week on Oct. 31 last year. Tech has now garnered four weekly awards under second-year head coach Don Flora.
PIPER, RUETTER NAMED TO BOSTON COLLEGE INVITATIONAL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Aubree Piper and Emily Ruetter were both named to the Boston College Invitational all-tournament team last weekend after helping lead the Red Raiders to their first 4-0 start to a season since 2003. Piper was a dominating presence for the Red Raiders in the middle, finishing with 30 kills along with a team-high .397 hitting percentage to go along with 18 blocks. Ruetter, meanwhile, was Tech's primary setter throughout the weekend, totaling 141 assists (8.81 per set) and two double-doubles after recording 32 digs.
RUETTER, STACY SEEING DOUBLE
Freshmen Emily Ruetter and Meghan Stacy started their Texas Tech careers off on a good note last weekend, totaling two double-doubles each. Ruetter opened the weekend with 43 assists and 10 digs against Fordham before closing the tournament with a 37-assist and 11 dig performance against Boston College. Stacy was equally as impressive over the final two matches, totaling 14 kills and 16 digs against Siena and then 11 kills and 11 digs against Boston College. The two performances mark the first time a Tech freshman has recorded a double-double since Breeann David did so on Sept. 26 last year at New Mexico.
FLORA GOES WITH YOUNG LINEUP IN BOSTON
Don Flora certainly was not kidding when he said prior to the season that the Red Raiders would likely use a rotation composed primarily of freshmen and sophomores. The second-year head coach proved his point last weekend at the Boston College Invitational as the Red Raiders started at least four newcomers in every match, with the Binghamton and Boston College lineups including four freshmen and a pair of sophomores.
