Texas Tech University Athletics
Tech Volleyball Treks To Norman To Face Oklahoma
October 14, 2014 | Women's Volleyball
Breeann David and the Red Raiders travel to Oklahoma for a pivotal Big 12 matchup.
LUBBOCK, Texas --Texas Tech volleyball will be on the road for the second-straight match, traveling to Norman, Okla., to take on the Oklahoma Sooners on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m.
| Date | Oct. 15 |
| Time | 7 p.m. |
| Venue | McCasland Field House |
| TV | FOX Sports Oklahoma & FOX College Sports-Central |
| Talent | Toby Rowland & Laura Alford |
| Live Stats | http://www.soonersports.com |
This will be the 65th matchup between the Red Raiders (14-3, 2-3) and Sooners, with The Red Raiders holding a 34-30 advantage, all time. Tech's last victory over Oklahoma (12-5, 3-1) came in 2005, and Tech's last win in Norman came in 2002.
Texas Tech is coming off a three-set loss in Austin against No. 2 Texas, after forcing 17-17 ties with the Longhorns in the first and third sets.
Oklahoma has had a hot start to Big 12 play, winning three of its first four. The start has led the Sooners to receive votes in this week's AVCA Coaches Poll.
Tech and OU's matchup will be the key Big 12 match of the night, being the only one featuring two of the Big 12's top-four teams.
Wednesday's match will feature some key strength vs. strength storylines. OU ranks third in the Big 12 in hitting percentage (.265), while Tech has held opponents to an average of .152, which ranks second in the Big 12.
Oklahoma allows the least amount of digs per set in the conference, at 12.51 per set, while the Red Raiders lead the Big 12 in digs per set, with 16.45.
With a win, Texas Tech would guarantee itself a winning season, something the Red Raiders have not experienced since 2001.
Who's Got Next?
Texas Tech will return home on Saturday, Oct. 18, to face Iowa State. First serve at the United Supermarkets Arena is set for 10 a.m. Admission will be complimentary.
Ace In The Hole
Senior All-American Rachel Brummitt is not only a force to be reckoned with on the serve receive, she can do damage from the service line herself. Her 26 service aces rank third in the Big 12.
Starting Fast
Texas Tech volleyball had a historic start to 2014, winning its first 13 games. The Red Raiders have not started 13-0 since 1996, when they began the season 15-0. Texas Tech's best start in school history is a 16-0 beginning to the 1976 season, a year in which Tech also put together its longest winning streak in school history, 17 games.
Tech's 13-game winning streak was only the eighth double-digit winning streak in school history, and this marked the fifth time such a streak has begun the season. 13-0 was Tech's third-best start in school history.
In The Conference Room
Texas Tech currently leads the Big 12 in digs per set (16.45), while ranking second in assists per set (12.92) and opponent hitting percentage (.152). The Red Raiders rank third in the Big 12 in third in blocks per set (2.54). Individually, Lauren Douglass ranks seventh in the Big 12 in hitting percentage (.330), and Rachel Brummitt leads the conference in digs (327), and ranks third in service aces (26).
A Helping Hand
Texas Tech's top-40 national ranking in assists has a lot to do with the team's depth at setter. Marguerite Grubb ranks seventh in the conference at 9.98 assists per set. Emily Ruetter just misses the games played requirement to appear on the conference stat sheets, but her 282 assists in 29 sets (9.72) would rank eighth in the conference.
Making An Adjustment
Texas Tech is 14-3 in the third set of matches in 2014. The Red Raiders are outscoring opponents 412-328 in the set following the intermission--their largest margin of any set.
Cardiac Kids
Texas Tech has played four matches that have gone five sets in 2014, and won all four. In three of those matches, the Red Raiders have had to play from behind. In two of those three, they erased 0-2 deficits.
Leading Ladies
The Red Raiders have made their way onto this week's edition of the 2014 NCAA stat rankings. Here is a breakdown of where you can find Tech on the national lists (top 40 only, through Oct. 13):
Tech In The NCAA Rankings| Rank | Name | Category | Number |
| 23. | Rachel Brummitt | Digs Per Set | 5.11 |
| 22. | Texas Tech | Opponent Hitting % | .152 |
| 32. | Texas Tech | Digs Per Set | 16.45 |
| 32. | Texas Tech | Assists Per Set | 12.92 |
| 38. | Texas Tech | Blocks Per Set | 2.54 |
Gettin' Diggy With It
In only one season, Rachel Brummitt went from a relatively unknown transfer to a school record holder and one of the top liberos in the Big 12. She has already broken her own school and conference records with a 39-dig performance in four sets against Air Force. She has been tabbed as Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week twice this season. Her five weekly defensive awards over her career rank fifth in Big 12 history. She only needs 143 digs to become the school's all-time leader, after already logging 327 this season.
TTU All-Time Dig Leaders
1. Lisa Hilgers (1995-98) 1,583
2. Ann Romjue (1999-02) 1,520
3. Rachel Brummitt (2012-Pres.) 1,441
4. Cristine Martin (1993-97) 1,323
5. Melissa McGehee (1999-02) 1,270
6. Jenn Goehry (2006-09) 1,229
7. Skydra Orzen (1998-01) 1,221
8. Chris Martin (1988-91) 1,152
9. Sheila Soloman (1987-90) 1,139
10. Sabrina Zenon (1988-91) 1,131
