November 18, 2006
Texas Tech ended a four-match losing streak after defeating Texas A&M, 30-25, 30-23, 30-27, tonight in front of 609 at United Spirit Arena.
Both teams entered the match with identical 11-15 records, including four Big 12 Conference wins apiece. Both teams also were looking to end losing streaks, a skid that extended to four for the Aggies following the loss to the Red Raiders.
A&M (11-16, 4-15 Big 12) held the lead three times in the opening game but could never build more than a two-point cushion. The Aggies held their last lead at 19-18 after Christi Hahn and Kelsey Bryant teamed for a block to tie the score, and Tech hit wide on the ensuing play. Tech quickly regained the lead with three consecutive kills. Hahn ended the run with a kill, but the Red Raiders countered with a four-point run to build their biggest lead at 26-20. A&M could get no closer than four points before Kiley Lyons put down a kill to give Tech the 30-25 win.
A&M, out-hit .200 to .122 in Game 1, was held to a -.096 hitting percentage in Game 2. The Aggies spotted Tech a 7-0 lead before getting on the scoreboard with three consecutive points. A&M managed to tie the score at 10, 14 and 15 but were unable to take a lead. The Red Raiders used a four-point run to break the 15-all tie, and A&M later had its own four-point run to get within 23-22. The Aggies however, were unable to regain the lead, and Tech used a five-point run to close out the game.
The Aggies came out of the intermission and jumped out to a 9-5 lead, their biggest lead of the match. Tech continued to cut into the lead throughout the game and used a three-point run to tie the score at 22. The Red Raiders tied the score again at 24, and the teams exchanged sideouts until Tech scored four straight points to take the game, 30-27, and earn the sweep.
Tech (12-15, 5-13 Big 12) out-hit A&M, .190 to .131, for the match, posting 51 kills to A&M?â„¢s 39. The Red Raiders also had seven aces and 48 digs, while A&M, which had 12 of 14 players see action in the match, had one ace and 39 digs. The teams tied in blocks with nine apiece.
Mary Batis led the Aggies with 12 kills and four blocks, and Sarah Ammerman added 10 kills. Jen Moore tallied a team-leading 11 digs, and Courtnee Rhodes dished out 36 assists in the loss.
Philister Sang led Tech with 24 kills, and Amy Charlebois had a match-high six blocks. Jenn Harrell led the Red Raiders in digs with 14.
A&M concludes the season Wednesday with a home match against Missouri. First serve is slated for 6:30 p.m. at G. Rollie White Coliseum.
Short Box Score
Texas Tech def. Texas A&M 30-25, 30-23, 30-27
Texas A&M (11-16, 4-15 Big 12) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Batis, Mary 12-0-4; Ammerman, Sarah 10-0-1; Hahn, Christi 6-0-3; Stanton, Kelly 4-0-3; Yon, Lindsey 2-0-1; Bryant, Kelsey 2-0-1; Rhodes, Courtnee 1-0-0; Phillips, Jillian 1-1-2; Banse, Jenny 1-0-0; Totals 39-1-9.0. (Assists) - Rhodes, Courtnee 36. (Dig leaders) - Moore, Jen 11; Batis, Mary 9.
Texas Tech (12-15, 5-13 Big 12) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Sang, Philister 24-0-1; Lyons, Kiley 9-1-3; Charlebois, Amy 7-0-6; Flores, Michelle 4-0-1; Bucy, Robyn 3-0-1; Ziegler, Emily 2-3-1; Pauley, Jamye 1-0-3; Hicks, Holly 1-0-0; Harrell, Jenn 0-3-0; Totals 51-7-9.0. (Assists) - Ziegler, Emily 22; Hicks, Holly 22. (Dig leaders) - Harrell, Jenn 14; Lyons, Kiley 11; Ziegler, Emily 8.
Site: Lubbock, Texas (United Spirit Arena)
Date: Nov 18, 2006 Attend: 609 Time: 1:35
Referees: Debbie Stanford, Ron Stahl