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Kansas State
Kansas State Erases Early Deficit to Top Texas Tech
November 03, 2010 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 3, 2010
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Even with double-double performances by Karlyn Meyers and Amanda Dowdy, Texas Tech could not build on an opening-set victory in its 3-1 (20-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-15) loss Wednesday night to Kansas State in Ahearn Fieldhouse.
Dowdy finished the match with 12 digs and a match-high 21 kills, while Meyers added 32 assists to go along with 13 digs, but neither was enough as Kansas State (10-15; 4-10) was able to shift the match's momentum late in the second frame to keep Tech (3-20; 1-13) winless on the road this season.
Sporting a new lineup that included Sheridan Burgess and Miara Cave, Tech got off to one of its best starts to the year, building a four-point lead midway through the opening frame that was eventually expanded to five points. Tech hit .216 in the set, its highest of any frame in the match, while Kansas State was limited to a .068 hitting percentage.
Errors became a problem for both teams in the second set as 11 service errors were committed by two squads in the frame. Even with the errors, Tech was able to continue its momentum from the opening set, building a 21-16 lead.
Kansas State fought back, however, to win nine of the final 11 points to shift the momentum to the Wildcats' side entering the intermission.
The Wildcats came out of the break to open with a 12-1 lead, but Tech would close the deficit somewhat by winning seven of the next nine points to pull to a 14-8 deficit. After eventually narrowing the deficit down to three points, KSU managed to connect on the final points needed to put Tech in a 2-1 hole.
Tech was unable to bounce back to force a fifth and deciding set, though, as the Wildcats built a 21-11 lead that it would not relinquish. The Wildcats hit .333 in the final set, while holding Tech to a .000 hitting percentage as the Red Raiders committed nine errors in the frame.
Jackie Vincent led the Tech defense with 15 digs, while Aubree Piper added six kills and Barbara Conceicao and Cave each posted five kills of their own. Candice Neill recorded seven digs of her own, one more than Burgess and Tory Vaughan.
Kaitlynn Pelger finished with a .344 hitting percentage to lead Kansas State with 16 kills, while Dakota Kaufman added 10 kills of her own. Lauren Mathewson recorded a match-high 27 digs, while Caitlyn Donahue posted a double-double with 45 assists and 10 digs.
The Red Raiders return to the United Spirit Arena this Saturday to face 5th-ranked Nebraska. First serve has been moved to 12 p.m. in order to not conflict with the homecoming football game against Missouri.
