The Texas Tech volleyball team will take on Iowa State at the United Supermarkets Arena on Thursday and Friday in a two-game series. The Cyclones will be the Red Raiders’ third Big 12 opponent of the season.
Tech will enter the competition with an 11-6 record after an impressive series against previously ninth-ranked Baylor. The Cyclones will enter with an 11-4 record after winning both games against Kansas last weekend.
Confidence Building for Texas Tech
The Red Raiders got a big win last weekend when they reverse swept Baylor in the first of a two-game series.
Sophomore outside hitter Maddie O’Brien said it was a good win for the team’s morale.
“It’s definitely a huge confidence boost for the team,” O’Brien said. “I think it really just showed us what our full potential could be.”
O’Brien recorded seven kills in the two games against the Bears last weekend. She will look to have another strong outing against Iowa State.
Head coach Tony Graystone said being exposed to ranked opponents will help the Red Raiders continue to grow.
“I think we’ve really, truly seen what that next level is all about,” Graystone said. “I think that we’ve prepared this group as well as we can, and the more we put them in there against teams that are at that level, we’re going to be better and better.”
This season, the Red Raiders have matched up against Colorado, Tennessee, Ohio State and Baylor this season. All four teams are in the top 15 of the NCAA’s Volleyball RPI and the top 25 of the AVCA Coaches poll.
Preparing for Iowa State
Senior right side hitter Eleanor Holthaus leads the Cyclones with 171 kills on the season. Iowa State middle blocker Candelaria Herrera leads the team in blocks with 74.
Graystone said the Cyclones offer a much different challenge than Baylor.
“Iowa State knows exactly who they are. They’re really good at being who they are, and they’re good at beating you with what they’re good at,” Graystone said. “I feel like for us, the game plans are going to be pretty easy to sort through and figure out, and it’s going to be best on best.”
Quick Hits
- Senior middle blocker Karrington Jones leads the Big 12 in hitting percentage with a .403 hitting clip.
- Sophomore setter Reese Rhodes will face her older sister, Avery, a redshirt senior middle blocker for the Cyclones.
- The Red Raiders have won four of the last five meetings against the Cyclones.
Quick hits courtesy of TTU Athletic Communications
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