Volleyball Heads to The Beach for Labor Day Showdown

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech volleyball looks to continue its strong start to the season as it travels to Long Beach State for a Monday matchup at Walter Pyramid with first serve at 1 p.m. CT.

The tilt concludes a four-match weekend for the Red Raiders (6-1), who posted a 2-1 mark at the UC Irvine/Adidas Invitational Friday-Saturday. Tech defeated CSU Bakersfield in straight sets and UC Irvine in four after dropping its opener against undefeated Georgia.

Monday's showdown marks a homecoming for All-Big 12 setter Missy Owens, who played at The Beach her freshman and sophomore seasons before transferring to Tech. The Yorba Linda, Calif., native started all 31 matches for the 49ers in 2016, leading them to a 21-10 record and 13-3 mark in the Big West.

The Red Raiders and 49ers (3-4) have played only once since 1989 with Tech taking a 3-0 loss in head coach Tony Graystone's first season. Owens led Long Beach to the win, tallying 37 assists, seven kills and two aces. Tech is in search of its first win in eight tries against The Beach.

Long Beach State will provide a stream of all matches through BigWest.TV. Fans can also follow @TexasTechVB on Twitter and Instagram for live updates and behind-the-scenes content.

THE BEACH

Long Beach is in its second season under Joy McKienzie-Fuerbringer
The 49ers went 10-19 last season with a 7-9 record in the Big West
The 49ers have wins over Portland State, Seattle University and University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff
Junior Hailey Harward leads the team in kills (3.28 per set) while ranking second in aces and digs
Long Beach's roster consists of four international players and 11 Californians, and one player each from Nevada and Arizona

NOTEWORTHY

Tech currently leads the Big 12 standings with a conference-best 6-1 record
The Red Raiders head into week three as the Big 12's top defensive unit, limiting opponents to .136 hitting
Tech has held three of seven opponents to a .061 hit% or lower
Tech ranks second in the Big 12 in service aces (1.46)
Junior Emily Hill is second in the Big 12 with 0.50 aces per set (12 aces)
Middles Allison White (.408) and Katy Keenan (.389) rank third and fourth, respectively, in the conference in hit%
Keenan ranks fourth in the Big 12 in blocks (1.42 per set)
Libero Emerson Solano is tied for fourth in the league with 4.08 digs per set and tied for fifth with 0.33 aces per set

WHAT'S NEXT?
Texas Tech will travel back to California next weekend for UC Santa Barbara's Thunderdome Classic. The Red Raiders will see Seton Hall, Sacred Heart and UCSB during the two-day event. Tech opens the tournament with the Gauchos at 8 p.m., CT, Friday.

Volleyball Heads to The Beach for Labor Day Showdown

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Allison Bloss

Emily Hill

Katy Keenan

Missy Owens

Emerson Solano

Volleyball Heads to The Beach for Labor Day Showdown

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Allison Bloss

Emily Hill

Katy Keenan

Missy Owens

Emerson Solano

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