Lubbock, Texas – Double-double from behind Kenna Sauer and 42 assists from Reese RhodesThe Texas Tech Red Raiders (9-1) pulled off a hard-fought victory over the SMU Mustangs, 25-18, 16-25, 25-23, 29-27, on Thursday night at United Supermarkets Arena.
Sawyer collected her fifth double-double of the season with 21 kills and 11 digs. Rhodes dished out 42 on the night, pushing her total to five games with 40 or more assists.
High Reagan Cooper He was close to a double-double in the game after finishing with 12 kills (hitting .346) and six digs, while also adding three blocks. Jr Maddie O’Brien She had a solid match after totaling nine kills on 19 attacks (hitting .316), two blocks and a career-high four aces.
He was a sophomore leading the defense. Maddie Correa, who collected 20 digs. Graduation KJ Adams She was next with seven digs of her own and Rhodes added six more. Fifth year senior Brooke Kanas He led the way with a team-high four blocks at the net. As a team, the Red Raiders hit .246 with 53 slams, 48 assists, six aces, 61 digs and eight blocks.
How did it happen?
Prepare one
Texas Tech started on a 5-1 run, highlighted by kills from O’Brien and Kanas. SMU was able to close the gap to 6-5 before the Red Raiders reeled off three consecutive points against Sawyer and the Killers. Carrington Jones to take a 9-5 lead. Up 13-10, Tech would score the next four points. The Mustangs tried to cut the lead, but the Red Raiders won the first set 25-18.
Prepare two
The second set started with SMU leading 9-1. Tech was able to cut the lead in half as the Mustangs held a 10-5 advantage, but SMU would score nine of the next 13 points. Natalie Perdue would get a kill to close out the set and give the Mustangs a 25-16 victory.
Prepare three
The third set was close from start to finish with the two teams tied 5-5. SMU took a 7-6 lead, but Tech scored three straight points on kills from O’Brien and Cooper and another O’Brien ace. The Mustangs went on a run of their own to take a 14-11 lead, but Tech fought back to tie things at 15-all. Back-and-forth points ensued, but the Red Raiders would end the rally with a 3-1 run to win 25-23.
Set four
The last batch was ground from start to finish. SMU took a 7-4 lead midway through the set, but Tech would eventually tie it at 9-9 on an ace from Adams. Both teams traded points to make it 18-18, but Sawyer’s kill gave Tech the lead. Tech had an attack error that put SMU up 22-21, but the Red Raiders were able to tie it again at 22-22 thanks to a Mustangs service error. The set went back and forth until Sawyer gave the Red Raiders a 29-27 win.
celebrities
- The Red Raiders won their fourth-straight win over the Mustangs
- Kenna Sauer She recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 21 kills and 11 digs.
- Hot man Ellie Baumer She posted her first kill in the game.
- Maddie O’Brien She had a career-high four aces in the match and also posted a season-high nine kills.
- Maddie Correa She collected her ninth game with double-digit digs and second with 20 or more digs.
Quotes
Head coach Tony Greystone
Opening statement…
“That was a great way to finish. A tough match. I felt like we fought ourselves tonight. The first set was pretty easy and they checked some things. . . for the third set, it was like we started, but it was back and forth. I’m glad we were able to do it, that It’s a good team.
At the SMU match….
“Well, we knew they were a good team, no question. They have good size, good playmaking, they move the ball and their offense is very strong. We talk about how well their pins are coming, and when you have two scoring pins, it’s never really a problem. You don’t. Their side game was strong tonight, and I felt like that was the battle in the battle. Then, at the end, in that fourth set, they had a little mistake with some missed serves and a couple of hitting errors, so we needed those points to finish them off.
Top Outside Hitter, #11 Kenna Sauer
On today’s team effort…
“I mean, I always love it when my teammates step up. I think it’s more about us this year. We’re definitely a threat from the position. Of course I like to get all the balls and I like the pressure, but I think my teammates do too. I’m tired, but I think as a team, we’ve been growing in those tight moments. I don’t have a second to worry about someone not doing their job.”
On chemistry Reese Rhodes…
“I love hitting Reese, I think she’s a winner, I think you get into the game and you know it. I mean, even though she’s small, I know what I get out of Reese every game. Day Off: She always brings me balls and gives the ball to our midfield. She never stops being aggressive. You see her upset and we always rely on her to do that. So I think our relationship is good. It’s getting better every game. We have a lot to improve on, but I’m happy and it only goes from here.
When playing at home…
“Travel is tough. I think a lot of people don’t appreciate what we do when we’re on the road. We play regular games, but sometimes we have to get up at 3:30 in the morning. We travel all day and practice all night, so to get back into our normal game day routine, being in town “It’s great. Honestly, the crowd has been great so far. It’s fun and exciting to play in front of us. Friends and family too.”
Next
Texas Tech is back in action tomorrow with two games in the Red Raider Classic against Oral Roberts and Arizona State at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
