Texas Tech Athletics
UTSA
Red Raiders Rebound, Top UTSA in Finale
August 28, 2010 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 28, 2010
HOUSTON, Texas - Texas Tech had three players post double-digit kills and boasted a much-improved defense on its way to a 3-1 victory over UTSA Saturday night in the finale of the Rice Tournament at Tudor Fieldhouse.
After dropping the first two matches of the weekend, the Red Raiders came out with a more aggressive and confident style and received key plays from its entire roster to improve to 1-2 on the season. UTSA, which had fallen to Rice just hours earlier, drops to 1-2 overall.
"It's always good to get that first win," said Knight, who was coaching on her birthday a day earlier. "I thought we were much improved from earlier today. We seemed more confident and it really played a difference in the match."
Despite struggles earlier in the weekend in getting off to a solid start, the Red Raiders went back-and-forth with the Roadrunners for the majority of the first set until breaking away with the final three points for a 25-23 victory. Miara Cave posted six of her team-high 12 kills in the set.
With momentum on its back, Tech did not let off the pedal from there, running away with the second set, 25-17, thanks in part to the play of Justine Young. The Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year posted five of her 11 kills in the set while adding four digs and blocks to pace Tech.
As it had a day earlier against Ole Miss, UTSA found itself back in the match during the third set. The Roadrunners had overcome a two-set deficit Friday against the Rebels to win, 3-2, and were quickly building some momentum with a 25-21 victory.
The resiliency Knight had preached about all preseason paid off in the fourth set. With the score tied at 18 each, Tech rallied to win seven of the final 10 points to clinch the set, 25-21, and the match.
Besides Young and Cave, Amanda Dowdy also posted 11 kills in the match and seven digs. On the defensive front, Jackie Vincent once again led the team in digs with 15, while Karlyn Meyers chipped in 14 digs and a match-high 45 assists. Barbara Conceicao also added eight kills and four blocks for Tech.
Tech returns to the court in less than a week at the SMU Tournament in Dallas. The Red Raiders face the host Mustangs and UC Davis on Friday before taking on Texas State in the tournament finale the following day.
