Volleyball Treks to Lawrence to Face No. 11 Kansas

LUBBOCK, Texas – In the midst of its toughest stretch of the season, Texas Tech volleyball will travel to Lawrence, Kansas, for a matchup with No. 11 Kansas on Saturday, Oct. 21. First serve in Horejsi Family Athletics Center is set for 1 p.m., on ESPN 3.

This will be the 44^th meeting between the Red Raiders (13-7, 2-5) and Jayhawks, with Kansas (17-3, 6-1) holding a 27-16 all-time advantage, including a 15-7 edge in Lawrence. Tech's last win over Kansas came in 2010, when the Red Raiders earned a five-set win at United Supermarkets Arena.

Texas Tech will wear gold shoestrings Saturday to participate in Kansas's 'Gold Match' benefitting the Go 4 the Goal Foundation, which helps kids with cancer achieve their goals.

Tech began the week with a straight-set loss to No. 3 Texas. Junior Missy Owens posted her 19^th career double-double with 30 assists and 10 digs, also eclipsing 2,000 career assists in the contest. Junior Sarah Redding and freshman Allison White were Tech's top weapons with eight kills each.

The Jayhawks at home after picking up a road sweep of No. 24 Baylor in Waco. Kansas has won seven of their last eight matches with their only setback coming in a five-set heartbreaker to the Longhorns last week.

"They have a lot of size and a lot of offense," head coach Tony Graystone said about the Jayhawks. "They've got a great setter who moves it around and they serve really tough. They're a complete team. They're very athletic, so it's going to be very similar to what we saw Wednesday."

Kansas averages the most kills per set of any Big 12 team over the course of the season and is second in Big 12 play with a .280 hitting percentage. Sophomore Mmachi Nwoke is the league's top hitting during league play, hitting at a .447 clip.

Saturday's match is the second in a stretch of three-straight contests against ranked opponents for Tech. Following Saturday, the Red Raiders turn around to host No. 24 Baylor next Wednesday in the annual Dig Pink game at 6 p.m.

NOTABLES

•             Tech has already eclipsed last season's win total by three and won more sets than it did in 2016 or 2015.
•             With nine matches remaining, five are against teams ranked in the Top 25. The Red Raiders have lost 17 straight against ranked teams with their last win coming in 2012 against No. 20 Kansas State.
•             Despite four wins over Power-5 schools this season, Tech is 0-2 vs. ranked teams.
•             The 3-0 loss to Texas was just the second time Tech has been swept in 2017.
•             The Red Raiders are 1-2 in five set matches for the year.
•             Tech is 11-2 when hitting .200 or better and 13-1 when holding foes under .250.
•             As a team, Tech is third in the Big 12 this season in kills per set at 13.95.
•             Setter Missy Owens ranks second in the Big 12 this season in assists per set (11.06)
•             Senior Kate Klepetka ranks second in Big 12 play with 4.71 digs per set.

Volleyball Treks to Lawrence to Face No. 11 Kansas

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Players Mentioned

Allison Bloss

Kate Klepetka

Missy Owens

Sarah Redding

Texas Tech University Athletics