Texas Tech Splits Another Series in Big 12
The Texas Tech versus Iowa State recap started on Thursday, October 7, and the 8th at the United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. The team headed into the series against Iowa State with an overall record of 11-6 and 1-3 in conference action.
TTU vs. Iowa State Game 1
In the first game, the team dropped a devastating five-setter against the Cyclones. TTU lost the sets 21-25, 25-20, 25-23, 24-26, and 19-17.
The Red Raiders started the opening set off strong with a 10-6 lead before the Cyclones came storming back to pull within one. TTU continued their momentum to push their lead to 17-12. A service error by the Cyclones gave the Red Raiders the set. Junior Kenna Sauer helped the team win with five kills.
In the second, Iowa State had to call a timeout due to TTU’s momentum continuing with a 7-2 run. Out of the timeout, ISU won nine of the next 11 to take a 20-16 lead and stop the Red Raiders run. The Cyclones tied up the match, taking the second.
The Cyclones barely won the third set, with the Red Raiders pulling a close run of 25-23. TTU struck first with a 6-2 advantage before a timeout. Out of the timeout, the Cyclones used a 5-0 run to take the lead. A kill from Iowa State gave them the win after TTU fought off one set point.
Furthermore, TTU won the fourth to force a deciding fifth set. Senior Brooke Kanas started to heat up, tallying four points in their 5-1 run, giving the Red Raiders a 14-11 advantage. ISU tied the set at 18, but TTU pulled ahead again. Sophomore Mackenzie Morgan had an ace that gave Tech a match point at 24-20. The Cyclones were able to fight back and tie at 24, but the Red Raiders closed the frame with a kill from Sauer.
In the final set, TTU forced their first match point off an ISU attack error at 14-12, but ISU answered with two kills. Tech’s third match point came off another attack error, but ISU responded once again. The Cyclones were able to use a 4-1 run to take the match.
Texas Tech vs. Iowa State Game 2
Texas Tech defeated Iowa State in four sets to split the series and go 2-4 in Big 12. The team won 22-25, 23-25, 25-21, and 22-25.
TTU opened the first set with a 4-0 domination, forcing the Cyclones to use their first timeout. An ace from Freshman Madison Gilliland advanced their lead to 8-3. ISU cut the lead to three, but Sophomore Maddie O’Brien put the team back up to five with an ace. After another ISU run, the Red Raiders were able to hold to win.
In the second, TTU led 20-18 after a back-and-forth lead. ISU scored the following four points, but the Red Raiders answered with three points off two kills and a block assist from Sauer. Graduate student KJ Adams tallied an ace to create a set point and kill from Sauer to give the team their second win in the match.
The Cyclones were able to hold on in the match and won the third set. They led 19-9, but TTU went on a 9-0 run to pull within a point. Despite the Red Raiders rally, ISU scored six of the final nine to force a fourth set.
In the final set, TTU started by being down by five and calling an early timeout. Out of the timeout, the team went on a 6-1 run. Freshman Maddie Correa tied the match with back-to-back aces. Tech won nine of the final 12 points to split the series with ISU to take the game.
Coming Up for TTU in Big 12 Action
The Red Raiders travel to Norman, Oklahoma, to face the Sooners Thursday, October 14 and 15th. Following the series, they will continue to travel and head to Manhattan, Kansas, to face Kansas State for a mid-week series, Wednesday, October 27 and 28th.
Watch the women’s volleyball team continue to play in the conference schedule with a record of 12-7, and hope to pull off more conference wins. You can buy your tickets for any home game at TexasTech.com. General admission for adults is $5 and $3 for youth. You can also watch the games on ESPN+.
Check out the TTU volleyball schedule to see when you can catch their next game.
To read more about other TTU athletic teams head to our sports category.
By Campus Live Intern Kaelea Pena