Texas Tech Athletics
Houston
Red Raiders host No. 22 Houston for two matches this weekend
October 19, 2023 | Women's Volleyball
LUBBOCK, Texas – The Texas Tech Red Raiders are back at home in the United Supermarkets Arena as they host the No. 22 Houston Cougars for two matches this weekend on Oct. 20-21. The first match on Friday will be at 6 p.m., while the Saturday match will take place at 2 p.m.
The Red Raiders (8-12, 1-7 Big 12) are taking on their third top-25 ranked team in a row after dropping two matches at No. 9 BYU last weekend. In the Friday evening match, Tech became the first team all season to force BYU to a fifth set before falling, 3-2.
Graduate Caitlin Dugan leads the Red Raiders with 242 kills and 270.5 points. Senior Reese Rhodes has a team-best 506 assists, while the freshmen duo of Kate Hansen and Abby Dickinson lead the team with 15 aces apiece. Freshman Reagan Engler also leads Tech hitters with a .255 percentage, junior Maddie Correa posts a team-leading 276 digs and Hansen also leads the team with 94.0 total blocks.
Hansen currently ranks 21st in the nation with 94.0 total blocks. She is also third in the Big 12 in total blocks. In addition, she ranks 55th with 1.24 blocks per set. As a team, the Red Raiders are tied for 31st with 186.0 total blocks, and only behind TCU and BYU in the conference rankings.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Houston leads the all-time series against Texas Tech, 31-17. Both teams last played twice in the 2020-21 season as they split the matches. First, the Cougars won on Feb. 25, 2021 in a sweep, before the Red Raiders answered with a five-set win the following day. The Cougars are 9-7 overall and 2-5 in Big 12 play so far. They have key wins against USC, North Texas, SMU and Texas A&M. Some losses came against Texas State, No. 19 Kentucky, No. 10 BYU, No. 19 Kansas and No. 7 Texas.
As a team, the Cougars total 758 kills, 13.3 kills per set, 691 assists, 82 aces, 866 digs and 137.0 blocks. Houston is led in kills by Abbie Jackson (183) and former Red Raider, Kenna Sauer (182). Annie Cooke leads the Cougars with 312 assists, while Kate Georgiades has a team-best 15 aces. On defense, Georgiades boasts a team-high 260 digs and Kellen Morin has a team-leading 76.0 blocks.
TICKETS/FAN INFORMATION
Doors open one hour prior to first serve at the Northwest entrance of the United Supermarkets Arena. The clear bag policy is in effect for all Texas Tech Athletics events. Fans can also purchase tickets online or at the arena (NW entrance).
For Friday's match, fans are encouraged to wear pink to get a $2 ticket and will receive pink Texas Tech Athletics wrist bands as a promotion. On Saturday, fans at the match will receive Texas Tech Volleyball koozies.
LIVE VIDEO AND STATS
Both matches this weekend will be streamed on ESPN+ and will have live stats available. The first match on Friday evening can be streamed here, while the second match on Saturday afternoon can be streamed here.
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