Volleyball Returns Home to Face OU Wednesday

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech volleyball (14-10, 3-8) looks to bounce back from a hard-fought loss at No. 3 Texas as it hosts Oklahoma (6-18, 3-8) Wednesday, Nov. 8, for a 6 p.m. first serve at United Supermarkets Arena.

FOX Sports Southwest will carry the match with Geoff Haxton and Mike Moffitt on the call. Live stats are available at TexasTech.Statbroadcast.com while live updates can be found on Twitter (@TexasTechVB).

Wednesday will be Veteran's Night at the arena as the Texas Tech volleyball program honors all active duty military service members and veterans by offering them free admission when they present their military I.D. at the door.

"We're looking forward to a little redemption and to show what we're all about," head coach Tony Graystone said. "We're in position now to finish as high as fifth in the Big 12. Forget about where we were last year, if you're fifth in the Big 12 you're having a great season. We need a couple of wins to make that happen, and we have a couple of matchups that we like."

The Red Raiders will eye a better showing against the Sooners after dropping a 3-0 decision in Norman earlier this season. Tech was without junior Reyn Akiu in the contest, and the Sooners took advantage by recording a season-best .358 hitting percentage.

This time around, the Sooners must travel to Lubbock where the Red Raiders are 7-3 on the year, including Big 12 wins over West Virginia, Kansas State and TCU. With only two home matches remaining, Tech is just one win away from posting its most home victories in a season since 2003.

The Red Raiders will also be looking to even the all-time series back up after Oklahoma gained a 36-35 edge with their win earlier this season. Tech holds a 14-12 advantage at United Supermarkets Arena and seeks its first victory over the Sooners since 2015.

Tech enters Wednesday coming off a pair of solid outings. The Red Raiders rallied for a five-set win over Kansas State in its last home battle and most recently took a set from No. 3 Texas on the road for the first time since 2009.Meanwhile, Oklahoma broke a three-match losing streak with a 3-2 win over West Virginia Saturday.

With just five matches remaining on the docket for the 2017 regular season, Tech currently sits in a three-way tie for fifth place in the league standings with the two opponents on tab this week. Following Wednesday's tilt with OU, Tech travels to Morgantown for a showdown at West Virginia, who Tech topped in four sets in September.

Tickets for Wednesday's match are available for purchase online, over the phone at 806-742-TECH, or at the box office one hour before first serve. A reminder that Texas Tech's Clear Bags Policy will be in effect.

NOTABLES

Texas Tech will wear a special warm-up top Wednesday to pay tribute to the United States military and its veterans.
The program will also hold a moment of silence before the match to honor the community of Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Texas Tech is one win shy of guaranteeing its first winning season since 2001, its most home wins since 2003, its most Big 12 wins since 2006 and its most regular season wins since 2011.
Junior setter Missy Owens returned to the lineup Saturday in Austin. She currently ranks third in the Big 12 in assists per set.
Junior libero/defensive specialist Tita Akiu is 20 digs from 1,000 for her career.
Wednesday marks just the fifth time in 12 conference matches Tech will have both Owens and Akiu available for the same match.
Junior Katy Keenan ranks in the Top 5 in the league in hitting percentage at .368 for the 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.

Volleyball Returns Home to Face OU Wednesday

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Players Mentioned

Reyn Akiu

Katy Keenan

Missy Owens

Texas Tech University Athletics