Texas Tech Athletics
Texas A&M
First Set Momentum Carries A&M Over Texas Tech
September 25, 2010 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 25, 2010
Home Match Highlights as Tech prepares for a pair of Big 12 home matches
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M used a 10-point run midway through the first set to put Texas Tech in an early deficit and never looked back, topping the Red Raiders, 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-23), Saturday evening in front of 2,062 fans at Reed Arena.
Playing in front of loud home crowd, A&M (8-5; 2-1) hit over .375 in the opening two sets while proving it could overcome a deficit in the third frame, while Tech (2-11; 0-4) was unable to build momentum over the first two sets before letting the third frame get away.
"I really thought we might win that third set, and you never know what could happen if we do," Tech head coach Trish Knight said. "I thought A&M played well, though, and we began to play well in the third set, also. We just can't wait that long to get going where it is too late."
After going back-and-forth early in the first set, A&M began its run with the score 13-10 that did not end until Karlyn Meyers tipped the ball over the net to a surprised Aggie defense. The Red Raiders proceeded to win the next two points, but A&M's early damage was too much to overcome as the Aggies won two of the final three points to close the set.
Texas A&M continued its momentum into the second set, erasing an early 2-1 Tech lead en route to leading the rest of the frame. Tech did not go down without a fight, however, as the Red Raiders were within distance the entire frame but could not get the rally it needed down the stretch.
Similar to its Wednesday night performance against Oklahoma, Tech came roaring back in the third set, leading for the majority of the frame until the Aggies tied the score at 20-20. After the two teams traded points to make the score 23-23, A&M claimed the final two points off Tech errors, ending Tech's chance of prolonging the match.
Tech was led offensively by Amanda Dowdy who finished with nine kills while Aubree Piper added seven kills of her own. Jackie Vincent led the Tech defense with nine digs, while Dowdy and Caroline Courtney both recorded seven digs each. Meyers finished with 23 assists for Tech.
Kelsey Black led the A&M attack with a match-high 13 kills, while Tori Mellinger and Chelsea Ringel were instrumental on the back line with 13 and 11 digs, respectively. The Aggies finished with a .270 attacking percentage.
The Red Raiders return to the United Spirit Arena for two matches next week, beginning Wednesday against the Baylor Bears. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.
