Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
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Kansas
Tech opens Big 12 hosting No. 17 Kansas
September 20, 2023 | Women's Volleyball
LUBBOCK, Texas – The Texas Tech Red Raiders open Big 12 play with two matches against the No. 17 Kansas Jayhawks on Friday and Saturday at the United Supermarkets Arena. On Sept. 22, Tech will play Kansas at 6 p.m., before hosting the Jayhawks for one more match the following day, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m.
The Red Raiders are coming off three matches in Dallas at the SMU Invitational against the Mustangs, LSU and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. In the tournament's final day, Tech pulled out the four-set victory over the Islanders to move to 7-5 on the season. Both Caitlin Dugan and Emily Merrick received All-Tournament Team nods after their impressive performances.
The Red Raiders are holding opponents to a .168 hitting clip, which is 59th in the country. As a team, Tech totals 132.0 blocks which is ranked third nationally behind SFA and Saint Mary's (Calif.). The Red Raiders' 2.75 blocks per set is 15th in the nation, and in addition, freshman Kate Hansen is 30th nationally in blocks per set (1.35) and tied for 10th with 62.0. Tech also tallied 524 assists, 47 aces and 747 digs, which is tied for 26th in the nation.
The Red Raiders are led in kills by Brynn Williams with 163, as Dugan follows close behind with 150. Reese Rhodes leads the team with 283 assists and Abby Dickinson has a team-best nine aces. Maddie Correa has a team-high 171 digs, with Williams and Dickinson also recording over 100 digs with 129 and 124, respectively. Hansen still leads the team with her 62.0 blocks.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Going an impressive 9-1 in nonconference, the Kansas Jayhawks are also opening their Big 12 schedule this week with a two-match series against the Red Raiders. The Jayhawks are Tech's first ranked opponent of the season as they check in at No. 17 in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll. KU's only loss comes at the hands of Purdue on Aug. 31 in five sets. Some key wins include Wichita State, Colorado, Marquette and Pepperdine.
Kansas leads the series against Texas Tech as KU boasts an all-time record of 37-18 over the Red Raiders. Last season, the two teams played twice with the Jayhawks winning the first matchup in Lawrence in five sets. Then, Tech closed out its season by hosting Kansas at the USA, where the Red Raiders snapped a six-match Kansas winning streak and got their first sweep of the Jayhawks since 2005 on Nov. 25, 2022.
As a team, the Jayhawks total 504 kills and a .278 hitting clip, which is ranked 28th in the nation. Kansas also tallies 465 assists, 50 aces, 546 digs and 73.5 blocks. On the offensive side, former Red Raider Reagan Cooper leads the team with 103 kills followed by Ayah Elnady with 101. Camryn Turner posts a team-best 375 assists and Elnady has a team-leading 13 aces. Defensively, both Turner and Raegan Burns lead the Jayhawks with 112 digs, while Toyosi Onabanjo has a team-high 28 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 white and will receive ace rally towels as a promotion.
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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