Texas Tech Volleyball Spikes Colorado in Big 12 Opener

LUBBOCK, Texas – A huge rally late in game five lifted the Texas Tech volleyball team to a 3-2 (30-19, 30-24, 24-30, 27-30 and 15-12) victory over Colorado in the Red Raiders opener Wednesday night. The win improved Tech to 7-3 and 1-0 on the season and snapped a three-match loosing skid to the Buffs.

 TTU was led by four players with double-doubles. Seniors Amy Gandy, Emily Ziegler and Alicia Ostmeyer, and junior Brandi Hood all had multiple double digit stats. Gandy chipped in 10 kills and 11 digs for her fifth double-double of the year, while Ziegler had 42 assists and 10 digs to go along with seven kills for her sixth of the season. Hood, a junior college transfer, knocked down 10 kills and had 10 blocks for her first of the season. Alicia Ostmeyer led Tech with a team-best 11 kills on .286 hitting to go along with 10 blocks to tie Hood for match-best honors. Sophomore Jenn Harrell picked up 22 digs from her libero position to lead the Red Raider defense.

 TTU came out firing in the first game and jumped out to a 15-9 advantage part way in. CU tried to mount a comeback, but the Red Raiders kept the pressure on and cruised to the 30-19 win.

 The Buffs came back hard early in game two, but Tech responded quickly and took control of the game to push ahead for the 20-24 win. Game three was almost all CU, however. The Buffs established the momentum early in the game and led almost the entire way. TTU mounted a couple of mini runs, but they were not enough to catch CU, who took the 30-24 win.

 The two foes came out attacking hard in the fourth game and matched each other almost blow for blow early on. Midway through, however, the Buffs went on a run to take control of the game. Tech mounted a late rally to cut it to 29-27, but CU finished off the last point to take the game 30-27.

 The deciding game five started much the same as game four. Both teams matched each other kill for kill, until Tech took a one-point lead after a kill from freshman Caroline Courtney to grab the momentum. The Red Raiders finished strong to take the 15-12 win and claim the match.

 For TTU, the match not only broke a three-match skid to the Buffs, but it also snapped a two-match conference opener skid.

 Tech will look to carry that momentum into Saturday’s showdown with top-ranked Nebraska. First serve is set for 7 p.m. in the United Spirit Arena.

(courtesy: texas tech release)

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