September 25, 1998

LUBBOCK, Texas - No. 17 ranked Texas A&M defeated No. 25 Texas Tech 15-9, 15-3, 15-6 in volleyball Friday evening in Lubbock's Municipal Coliseum. The match was the first Big 12 Conference matchup for both teams. The victory improves Texas A&M to 1-0 in the Big 12 and 8-1 overall while Texas Tech drops to 0-1 in the Big 12 and 10-3 overall.

Texas Tech also retired 1995-96 player Jill Burness' jersey prior to the match. Texas A&M hit .320 (45-13-100) in the match and held Texas Tech to .071 hitting (33-25-113). The Aggies also outblocked the Raiders 12.0 to 3.0. Stacy Sykora had a match-high 14 kills and hit .273 while Michelle Cole finished with 11 and a .524 hitting percentage.

Texas Tech setter Lisa Hilgers broke the all-time career digs record at Texas Tech, surpassing Cristine Martin's 1,323 career digs, set last year.

For Texas Tech, Natalie Rives led the Raiders with nine kills on .350 hitting (9-2-20) while Courtney Putnam finished with eight kills (8-4-26). Hilgers led the team in digs (10) followed by Kristen Holmes (nine).

Texas Tech will play No. 13 Texas tomorrow in Lubbock Municpal Coliseum beginning at 7 p.m.