The Texas Tech volleyball team split its two-game series against ninth-ranked Baylor in Waco this weekend. The Red Raiders hold a solid 11-6 record while Baylor sits at 8-4 following the two games.
The series saw Tech get its first Big 12 win of the season, and its first win against a top 10 opponent since 1996 when the Red Raiders defeated fifth-ranked Nebraska.
Texas Tech Reverse Sweeps Baylor in Game One
In the first game, Baylor jumped out to a 1-0 lead after taking the first set 25-23. A 4-0 run earlier in the set put the Bears up 19-18. The set would eventually be tied at 23 but Baylor scored the next two points to win the set.
The Bears controlled the second set and took an 18-13 lead. Following a timeout, the Red Raiders climbed to within 3, but Baylor would take the set 25-19.
Texas Tech began to shift momentum in the third set. The Red Raiders went on a 7-2 run to take an 18-15 lead. Later in the set tied at 22, the Red Raiders scored three straight points to take the third set 25-22.
Tech began the fourth set with a 6-1 run. Three straight kills by outside hitter Reagan Cooper would later push the lead to 13-5. Baylor responded with a 6-1 run of its own, and eventually cut the Red Raider lead to one. Senior setter Alex Kirby would end up with the final kill to take the set 25-22, tying the game at two sets.
The tightly contested fifth set featured 11 ties and six lead changes. The Bears ended up with match point after taking a 15-14 lead, but a Baylor service error gave the Red Raiders another chance.
Later on, another Baylor service error set up Tech with an opportunity to take the match. Outside hitter Kenna Sauer got the kill that gave the Red Raiders a 3-2 victory.
Baylor Takes Game Two in Four Sets
Baylor went on a 7-2 run to open the first set. Baylor continued its dominance by taking a seven point lead later in the set. Baylor then went on an 8-1 run to take the set 25-13.
In the second set, the Red Raiders jumped out to an 8-2 lead, and later increased its advantage to 14-5. Out of a timeout, the Bears climbed back with five straight points to cut the Tech lead to four. The set stayed close as the Red Raiders clung to a 22-20 lead, but Kenna Sauer would end up with the final kill as the Red Raiders took the set 25-23.
Baylor began set four with five straight points. Later in the set, a 4-1 run by the Red Raiders closed the deficit to two. The Bears would answer with another 5-0 run that led to a 21-12 Baylor advantage. The Bears would take the third set 25-17.
Tech started hot in the fourth set going up 10-5. The Bears responded and brought the set to within three. Later on, Baylor went on a 4-0 run to shrink the Red Raider lead to 19-18.
A 3-0 run by the Bears would eventually tie the set at 22. Libero KJ Adams recorded an ace that gave the Red Raiders a set point opportunity, but Baylor scored the next three points to keep the set going. The Bears would ultimately take the set 27-25 to cement a 3-1 victory.
Next for Texas Tech
The Red Raiders will return to Lubbock to face 11-4 Iowa State in a two-game series. Tech will look to even up its 1-3 Big 12 record against its third conference opponent.
Notable Statistics
- In game one against Baylor, setter Alex Kirby reached 2,000 career assists.
- Outside hitter Kenna Sauer totaled 35 kills in two games against Baylor.
- Middle Blocker Karrington Jones had double-digit kills in both games (11 in game one and 12 in game two).
- Middle Blocker Brooke Kanas recorded four blocks in game two.
- Baylor outside hitter Avery Skinner totaled 49 kills in the two-game series.
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