Texas Tech Athletics
Utah
No. 13 Utah Elminates Texas Tech 3-0
November 29, 2001 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 29, 2001
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The Texas Tech volleyball team saw its 2001 campaign come to an end on Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as the No. 13 Utah Utes defeated the Red Raiders 30-24, 31-29 and 30-23 at Crimson Court in Salt Lake City.
Texas Tech finished the 2001 season with an overall record of 18-14 while Utah improves to 24-6 and will face Utah State on Friday night in the second round of the tournament. Utah State upset No. 19 BYU in the first-game of the evening giving the Aggies the right to face in-state rival Utah with the winner advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16.
Texas Tech jumped out to an early 7-5 lead but Texas Tech slowly watched that lead evaporate as Utah went on a 5-0 run to take the lead 10-7. The Utes took over the first-game thanks to key blocking and several defensive miscues by the Red Raiders and cruised to a 30-24 win.
Texas Tech held a 29-26 lead in the second game and had a chance to tie the score at 1-1 at the intermission. Utah, however, would not allow a Tech win as the Utes rolled off five straight points to edge the Red Raiders 31-29. At the intermission, Texas Tech was led by Kelly Johnson's 10 kills while Skydra Orzen led the defensive effort with eight digs.
Utah jumped out to an 8-2 lead early in the third game but Texas Tech finally awoke and rolled off five straight points to cut the Utah lead to 8-7. Texas Tech wasn't able to muster much more as the Utes broke a 15-15 tie late in the game and won easily 30-23.
Kelly Johnson led the Red Raiders with 14 kills and nine digs.
