Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Incarnate Word
Incarnate Word Edges Texas Tech in Five Sets
September 16, 2013 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 16, 2013
LUBBOCK, Texas - Incarnate Word rallied from one-set deficits twice Monday evening to shock Texas Tech, 3-2 (18-25, 27-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-13), in front of a school-record 1,262 fans at the McDermott Center.
In the first meeting all-time between the two schools, the Red Raiders (6-8) appeared primed and ready to put away the Cardinals (4-2) after both the first and third sets where Tech claimed seven-point and four-point victories.
Incarnate Word fought back each time, though, hitting .386 in the second set and .250 in the fourth to force a fifth and deciding set where the Cardinals overcame an early two-point deficit to lead the rest of the frame.
It was just the first time Tech had lost a match after taking a 2-1 lead since falling to No. 25 Oklahoma on Oct. 1, 2011, at home. The Red Raiders were also a perfect 6-0 when winning the opening set this year.
Angelique Vidaurri and Shaina Garza led the Cardinals throughout the match, totaling 43 of Incarnate's 63 kills while both players hit over .350 individually.
Vidaurri led all players with 23 kills while Garza connected on 20. Brittani Dear also added eight kills for the Cardinals in addition to her match-high five blocks.
Despite totaling four more errors than Incarnate, Tech managed to record a higher hitting percentage than the Cardinals, posting a .278 that was its highest ever in a loss under third-year head coach Don Flora.
Incarnate Word hit .259 as a team after missing on 21 attacks. Tech was previously 33-3 all-time under Flora when leading in attacking percentage and a perfect 18-0 when hitting .250 or better.
The loss overshadowed career nights for both Aubree Piper and Mikia Mills, who connected on 19 and 18 kills each to lead the Red Raiders in the middle. Both players were highly accurate from the field as well with Mills posting a match-high .667 hitting percentage after totaling just two errors in 24 attempts while Piper recorded a .389 average.
Emily Wright also added 12 kills in her first career start as an outside hitter. The sophomore was one of four Red Raiders in double digits for digs as she posted 10 for her first ever double-double.
Rachel Brummitt led the Tech back row with 19 digs followed by Ellen Sorrells with 13 and Carlie Foust with 10 as well. Emily Ruetter recorded six digs to go along with her match-high 60 assists. Tech out-dug the Cardinals, 72-62, overall.
The Red Raiders continue their two-match road trip Tuesday evening with a 6:30 p.m. first serve against Texas State in San Marcos.
