Texas Tech Athletics
Sacred Heart
Tech Volleyball Starts 2014 By Sweeping Sacred Heart
August 29, 2014 | Women's Volleyball
Rachel Brummitt set a career high with five service aces and added 13 digs as Texas Tech swept Sacred Heart to open the 2014 season on Friday.
Aug. 29, 2014
FULLERTON, Calif. -- Texas Tech hit .305 and benefited from a fantastic debut out of sophomore Lauren Douglass in its 25-17, 25-19, 25-17 sweep of Sacred Heart, to open the Titan Classic, in Fullerton, Calif., on Friday.
This win moves Texas Tech to 30-13 all-time in season openers. Tech is also now 27-10 in on-conference tournaments under head coach Don Flora.
"We set the tone early with our offensive rhythm," Flora said. "Then, we were able to be physical at the net with our blocking. It was great to see us control the rhythm of the match."
The match marked the first time Tech had hit .300 or better since doing so against Grand Canyon, on Aug. 31, 2013. The Red Raiders are now 9-0 under Flora when doing so.
On the other side, Tech was out-killed by the Pioneers, 36-32, but stifled the Sacred Heart attack to the tune of a .085 hitting percentage. Tech is now 16-0 under Flora when the opponent hits under .100.
Sophomore Lauren Douglass, who redshirted in 2012 at Ole Miss, and sat out the 2013 season after transferring to Texas Tech, turned in a great performance in her first taste of live NCAA action. Douglass looked as if she would end up on Tech's all-time list for single-match hitting percentage after connecting on eight of her first 10 attacks, but finished with a still-impressive 10 kills on 14 attacks (.643). She also proved to be a menace on the front line, turning in seven total blocks.
"Lauren, in playing her first collegiate match, was solid," Flora said. "She gave us exactly what we needed both offensively and defensively."
Senior All-American Rachel Brummitt was great from the service line, tallying a career-high five aces. She also turned in 13 digs, giving her 1,127 for her career and moving her within four of tying Sabrina Zenon for ninth in Tech history.
Junior Jenna Allen was a force on the outside, amassing eight kills on 25 attacks, and logging 10 digs.
Tech will resume competition at the Titan Classic tomorrow with a doubleheader. The Red Raiders will get started at noon CST against Bucknell, and then face the host team, Cal State Fullerton, at 9 p.m. CST.
