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Kansas
Red Raiders End Streak, Drop Kansas, 3-2
October 02, 2010 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 2, 2010
LUBBOCK, Texas - Eventually all streaks have to come to an end. That statement could not have been proved truer Saturday night in the United Spirit Arena.
The Texas Tech volleyball team claimed the victory it had been looking for, defeating Kansas, 3-2 (21-25, 25-20, 25-22, 20-25, 15-7), to end a 64-match conference losing streak that most-importantly gives Tech (3-12; 1-5) some confidence as it continues the Big 12 season.
"We eventually knew this night was going to come," Tech head coach Trish Knight said. "I am so proud of how this team battled and never got down on itself. We had so many players step up and play key roles, and that's the attitude we have been looking for. One of the main sparks for us tonight was our fans, and they definitely played a key role for us down the stretch and we are so thankful for them."
After injuring her ankle in Wednesday night's loss to Baylor, Knight or any Tech team member could not definitely say what kind of impact Amanda Dowdy would have against the Jayhawks.
Following only a few points, many had their answer. Dowdy began the match on a tear, posting a double-double in only the second set while hitting over .450 in the first two frames combined.
Even with Dowdy's timely hitting, the Red Raiders still managed to drop the first set, 25-21. But unlike previous matches, Tech did not give up and came back firing in the second frame, taking an early lead and battling down the stretch to even the match.
Early in the match it was evident Dowdy would not be Tech's only player to post career-highs. Seeing the team struggle somewhat in the first set, Knight inserted Alexxa Roberts into the lineup and the move paid dividends. The senior middle blocker was in the right place at the right time throughout the night, finishing with a career-high nine blocks (two solo, seven assisted).
Kansas (11-6; 2-4) came back from the intermission with a vengeance, taking an early 4-1 lead that it kept until Tech tied the set at 14-14. After the Jayhawks took a 20-19 lead late, Tech once again tied the match at 21-21 and proceeded to win four of the next five points to put itself a set away from victory.
Like all good teams, Kansas came back to tie the match again in the fourth, taking the set 25-20 win to gain some momentum entering the fifth and final set.
If there was any doubt Tech would let the match get away, the Red Raiders proved otherwise early in the fifth frame, capturing a 5-1 lead they never relinquished. With an energized crowd behind them, the Red Raiders finished the match on a 6-3 run, ending any chance for a Kansas rally.
Dowdy finished the match with a match-high 25 kills and 15 digs, both career highs. Joining her in double-figures was Miara Cave with 12 kills and Aubree Piper with a career-high 11 kills. Piper wrapped the match with a .400 hitting percentage, tops for any player and the most-accurate attacking performance of her young Tech career. Junior setter Karlyn Meyers directed the offense playing every set of the five, collecting 48 assists.
On the defensive end, Jackie Vincent recorded a match-high 13 digs, while Candice Neill and Tory Vaughan added seven and six digs each. Besides Roberts' strong performance blocking, Barbara Conceicao also finished with seven blocks for Tech.
The win is Tech's first in conference play since defeating Colorado, 3-2, on Sept. 12, 2007, in Lubbock. It also marks Knight's first as Tech's head coach as she is entering her second year with the program.
The Red Raiders will look to build on their victory Wednesday night in Ames, Iowa, as Tech travels to face 9th-ranked Iowa State. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start at the Ames High School gymnasium.
