Volleyball Looks to Defend its Home Court Against Kansas State
October 14, 2004 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 14, 2004
LUBBOCK, Texas - After a strong road win under its belt, the Texas Tech volleyball team will defend its home court this weekend against the Kansas State Wildcats. Tech (7-7, 3-5 Big 12) will look to push its win streak to two as it faces Kansas State (11-6, 5-2 Big 12) in another top-25 match up for the Red and Black, the seventh of the year.
Tech hopes to remain dominant at home against the Wildcats as Tech leads the series at home 5-3. Tech trails the all-time series that began in 1982, 13-7, with the last five-matches ending in the Wildcats' favor. Tech currently holds seventh-place in the Big 12 standings and will try to derail the Wildcats in conference play who stand in third-place.
With a momentum boost coming from Tech's win on the road against Baylor on Wednesday night, 3-1, the Red Raiders will have to remain atop their game to dethrone the top-ranked Wildcats. Tech caged the Bears with a season-high .278 hitting-efficiency, while picking up 11 more digs than the Bears with 64 on the night. Tech posted 61 kills to Baylor's 59, while out-blocking its foes 14.5 to 9 as a team. The Red Raiders returned to their balanced offense that has been the backbone of their conference wins with three players achieving the double-double ranks. Senior Kelly Johnson led the charge with 21 kills and 13 digs, while fellow senior Laura Grote chipped in 53 assists combined with 10 digs of her own. Sophomore Kiley Lyons completed the double-double trio pounding down 19 kills, tying her season-high, while picking up 13 digs. Junior Desiree Batista and junior Brianna Florus both found double-digit figures in their respective positions, with Batista contributing 12 digs to Tech defensive effort while Florus denied a season-high 10 attacks with 10-total blocks on the night.
Kansas State is coming off a loss at the hands of No.4 Nebraska 3-1, taking the first game only to lose leads in the remaining three to fall in the match. K-State was unable to capitalize from an early game-one win against the Huskers who remain unbeaten in conference play. Kansas State stayed close with Nebraska throughout the match, actually leading NU in the latter half of games two and three before falling to Nebraska's strong offensive blasts that gave them the victory. K-State's Sandy Werner led the Wildcats with 14 kills, followed by Valeria Hejjas and Lisa Martin with 12 and 11 kills, respectively.
Special guests the Lady Raider basketball team will be on hand for this weekend's match up, sticking around after the scheduled Lady Raider Super Saturday at 3 p.m. The team will host its first open practice of the year, and will stick around for the Red Raider volleyball match to sign autographs in the foyer of the United Spirit Arena starting at 5 p.m.
The first 200 fans to the game will be receiving free Schlotzky's deli sandwiches in the "Feed the Fan" giveaway. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
