Oct. 25, 2008

Box Score

LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech women's volleyball team received a team-high 19 kills from middle blocker Amanda Dowdy, but suffered a heartbreaking five-set loss to Colorado (20-25, 22-25, 25-20, 25-23, 19-17) at the United Spirit Arena on Saturday night.

The Red Raiders (5-18, 0-12) came out in the first set with an ace from setter Caroline Witte and led 3-1 early. The set went back and forth as Colorado (11-9, 5-6) and Tech traded points until 14-14. The Red Raiders went on a 3-0 run behind one of four kills in the set for Dowdy and an ace from outside hitter Hayley Ball. Tech used the momentum to win the set 25-20.

The second set was another close one. Colorado jumped out to an early 4-1 lead but Tech battled back and tied it at 6-6. Middle blocker Brandi Hood set the tone in the set with eight kills to help lead the Red Raiders to a 25-22 win.

Tech was hampered in the third set by a -.051 hitting percentage. The Red Raiders hung around at 18-18 until Colorado went on a 7-2 run to seal the third set 25-20. Dowdy in the fourth set pushed the Red Raiders to a 17-11 lead with five of her team-high 19 kills on the night. The Buffaloes caught fire late in the set behind a 9-2 run winning the set 25-23 and pushing the match to a deciding fifth set.

The decisive fifth set was tied at 7-7 when Dowdy had two more kills to push the Red Raider lead to 9-7. Colorado again stormed back to tie the match at 11-11. Outside hitter Amanda Sbragia kept the Red Raiders in the set with two kills. The Buffaloes put the match away after going back and forth on an Alex Penewell kill winning 19-17.

The Red Raiders had excellent back-row play as outside hitter Hayley Ball (12), defensive specialist Jackie Vincent (14), Witte (15), and libero Jenn Harrell (19) all record double-digit digs.

Witte finished the match with 47 assists and eight kills as well. Hood recorded 16 kills on the night and nine blocks.

Colorado's Amber Sutherland led the Buffaloes with 21 kills.

The Red Raiders return to action on Nov. 1 as they travel to face the Missouri Tigers.