Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Kansas State
Volleyball Set to Host Kansas State Saturday
October 27, 2017 | Women's Volleyball
The matchup is one of just three remaining home games for the Red Raiders.
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech volleyball (13-9, 2-7) will play host to Kansas State (9-13, 2-7) Saturday, Oct. 28, at United Supermarkets Arena. First serve is slated for 1 p.m. on TexasTech.TV.
The contest is a rematch of a five-set battle just three weeks ago in Manhattan in which Tech led 2-1 after three sets before ultimately falling 25-15 23-25, 17-25, 25-18, 15-11. Sophomore Chandler Atwood finished with a career high 21 kills in the meeting and sophomore Emily Hill added 16, but the Wildcats recorded 18 blocks to help them earn the win.
The Red Raiders have been shorthanded throughout most of its Big 12 schedule. Junior setter Missy Owens, who ranks third in the Big 12 in assists, has missed the last two matches after suffering a head injury. Preseason All-Big 12 libero Reyn Akiu missed the first four Big 12 matches and five overall with a knee injury. Although she has been back in the lineup the last five matches, she has been limited and unable to fulfil her usual role as the team's libero.
Saturday will be the 48th all-time meeting between the two schools with the Wildcats holding a 37-10 advantage in the overall series. Tech is 7-14 against K-State in home matches and will be looking for its first win in the series since 2013.
The Red Raiders have been strong at home this season, posting a 6-3 record at United Supermarkets Arena. Signature wins include four-set victories over TCU and West Virginia. Tech's home match against No. 3 Texas saw a crowd of 1,614 in attendance, marking its largest home audience since 2002 and fourth largest ever to watch volleyball at United Supermarkets Arena.
With seven games left on the regular season schedule, Texas Tech is just past the halfway point of its Big 12 slate. Tech currently sits in a four-way tie for sixth place with Kansas State, TCU and Oklahoma, making Saturday a key matchup in the league standings.
Tech is coming off three straight matchups against ranked teams, including Wednesday's loss to No. 24 Baylor in three sets. Tech also hosted No. 3 Texas and battled No. 11 Kansas in Lawrence over the last nine days.
Kansas State enters on a four-game skid, including a midweek sweep to No. 22 Iowa State Wednesday in which they dropped the final two stanzas by just two points. The strength of the team lies in its defensive capabilities as K-State ranks fourth in the Big 12 in blocks and digs during Big 12 play. The Wildcats, however, are just 2-6 in true road matches this season with wins at Oklahoma and Omaha.
Outside hitter Kylee Zumach leads the Wildcats in kills at 2.94 per set, while middle blocker Peyton Williams is the team's most efficient hitter with a clip of .348 during Big 12 play, which ranks sixth in the league. William's also leads a strong blocking unit with 1.11 per set during Big 12 play, tied for sixth in the league. Opposite Bryna Vogel is another to watch as the senior is second on the team in both kills and digs.
The Red Raiders look to counter with junior Katy Keenan, who is hitting .371 on the year, which ranks in the Top 5 of the Big 12 leaderboard. The Argyle, Texas, native is on pace to challenge Lauren Douglass's single-season school record clip of .377 set in 2015. Keenan has hit .300 or better in seven of Tech's nine Big 12 contests, leading a unit that is hitting .200 in Big 12 play, up from the .152 Big 12 clip it posted in 2016.
Tickets for Saturday's contest are available online here, by calling the Texas Tech ticket office at 806-742-TECH, or at the door one hour prior to first serve. A reminder that Texas Tech's Clear Bag Policy is in effect for all home events during the 2017-18 school year.
As always, be sure to stay updated with the team on Twitter and Instagram (@TexasTechVB). For all things Texas Tech volleyball, go to www.TexasTech.com.
NOTABLES
•            Tech is one win from matching its highest Big 12 win total since 2006.
•            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 assists per set at 12.74 and fourth in kills per set at 13.61.
•            Senior Kate Klepetka ranks second in Big 12 play with 4.44 digs per set.
•            The Red Raiders are 1-2 in five set matches for the year.
