Texas Tech Athletics
South Dakota
Red Raiders Suffer Tough Loss to South Dakota
September 07, 2013 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 7, 2013
PULLMAN, Wash. - Texas Tech dropped its second-straight match at the Cougar Challenge Saturday afternoon as the Red Raiders fell to South Dakota, 3-1 (25-12, 23-25, 25-18, 25-22), at Bohler Gym.
The Red Raiders, who were without their leading attacker in Breeann David, fell to 1-2 so far in the Cougar Challenge after suffering a three-set loss last night to host Washington State. Tech (5-3) closes the tournament later this evening against Eastern Washington.
Tech struggled with errors for the second-straight match, totaling a season-high 30 in the match en route to finishing with a .122 hitting percentage. The Red Raiders hit a match-high .189 in the second frame, its lone set victory.
South Dakota (5-2) tallied 18 team blocks to frustrate the Tech attack. Melissa Firtko led the Coyotes' efforts at the net with 10 total blocks to go along with her 11 kills and .667 hitting percentage.
The Coyotes finished with three players in double figures for kills with Kendall Kritenbrink leading all players with 16 kills while Sydney Dimke recorded 10 as well. Kritenbrink followed Firtko with six blocks while Dimke came close to the double-double with nine digs.
Meghan Stacy was Tech's leading attacker after dropping 13 kills and 10 digs for her fifth career double-double and first of the season. Her 13 kills marked her most already this season.
She was one of two Red Raiders to record a double-double, joining setter Emily Ruetter, who totaled 41 assists while also recording 10 digs on the back row. It was Ruetter's second double-double already this season and the eighth of her career.
Tech finished with four players in double digits for digs, led by Carlie Foust with 13 and Rachel Brummitt with 12. The Red Raiders out-dug the Coyotes, 56-44, overall in the match.
Mikia Mills also picked up nine kills in the middle to boast the Tech attack. She hit .500 in the match after recording just two errors off 14 attempts. Katie Daffer posted a season-high eight kills as well.
The Red Raiders close the Cougar Challenge later this evening with an 8 p.m. CT first serve against Eastern Washington.
