Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Baylor
Gandy, Strong Defense Unable to Lift Tech past Bears
October 27, 2007 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 27, 2007
LUBBOCK, Texas - Amy Gandy tied a career-best 16 kills for Texas Tech and the Red Raiders had a solid defensive showing, but it wasn't enough to overcome Baylor in a close 3-0 (24-30, 26-30 and 24-30) loss Saturday night on the south plains.
With the loss, Tech dropped to 7-15, 1-12 on the season. The Bears improved to 13-10 and 5-7 on the year.
Points off blocks proved to be a big factor on the evening as both squads struggled attacking on the offensive end. Baylor picked 14 team blocks while hitting just .174 against a tough Red Raider defense. Tech recorded eight team blocks to go with .073 hitting on the night.
"We had some great team efforts tonight," Red Raider coach Nancy Todd said. "We just couldn't pull out some key things when we needed to."
Gandy led Tech with a match-high 16 kills to go along with five digs and three blocks. Alicia Ostmeyer added six kills and three blocks, while Michelle Flores nailed down seven kills for the Red Raiders. Brandi Hood and Becca Baldwin each recorded two kills and Sophomore Jenn Harrell recorded a match-best 13 digs from her libero position.
A slow start from Tech proved to be a key factor in the first game. BU jumped out to an early 7-2 lead to grab the momentum. The Red Raiders responded and cut it to 9-5, but they were never able to make the deficit closer than four the rest of the way. Tech looked to capture some momentum late after Gandy nailed down a kill to make it 24-20, but the Bears rallied to take the 30-24 win.
Baylor took an early 5-4 lead in the second game before Tech stormed back to take a 10-6 lead. The Red Raiders kept the pressure on the Bears and went ahead 22-14 after a Baylor attack error. A short time later, Tech found itself ahead 26-20. The Bears thwarted the hopes of the Red Raiders from there with a monstrous 10-0 run to come away with the win at 30-26.
Game three ensued with a back-and-forth battle in the early goings. A kill from Gandy evened the tally at 9-9. Both squads went hard at each other from there until BU came out with a 17-15 lead. Tech cut the deficit to one at 20-19 a short time later, but once again it was the Bears that came away with the needed rally to come out with the 30-24 win to complete the sweep.
Katie Sanders led the way for Baylor with 15 kills but hit just .183. Ashlie Christensen added 11 kills, while Haley Thomas picked up a match-high nine blocks. The Big 12's leading blocker, Anna Breyfogle, added eight blocks on seven kills.
The Red Raiders will be back at home on Wednesday when they welcome No. 15 Kansas State for a Halloween nightcap. First serve is set for 7 p.m. CST.
