Nov. 24, 2007

Box Score

LINCOLN, Neb. - Season Concludes for Tech Volleyball Two Red Raiders put names among school's all-time best.

A pair of Red Raiders put their names in the school's record books and Texas Tech battled hard against the No. 2 team in the land in its season finale, but it was not enough to upset Nebraska in a 3-0 (30-18, 30-10 and 30-11) loss Saturday night in Lincoln, Neb.

The Red Raiders finish their season with a 7-22, 1-19 record. The Huskers are now 27-1, 19-1 as they prepare for the NCAA Tournament which starts next week.

Senior Amy Gandy led Tech with 11 kills in her final collegiate match and finished fifth place on Tech's career kills list. Michelle Flores knocked down seven from her outside hitter spot. Sophomore Jenn Harrell moved into 10th place on the school's single season digs list with seven on the night. The Katy, Texas native finished with 393 on the season.

An assisted block from Kourtney Dunnam and Brandi Hood put Tech down just one early on as the Red Raiders came out battling. The Huskers took advantage of a pair of 3-0 runs to take a 15-9 lead. Flores gave Tech a big lift with by knocking down five kills in six attempts on the game, but a strong Nebraska defense kept the Red Raiders from establishing any serious momentum as the Huskers took the game 30-18.

Sophomore Harrell put away a service ace to spark Tech to a two-point lead early in game two. A swarming Nebraska defense kept the Red Raiders at bay and sparked a huge run that gave the Huskers a 12-5 advantage. Tech engaged Nebraska in a series of long rallies, but it was unable to get the needed points as it fell 30-10.

Hood and Alicia Ostmeyer blocked a Husker attack early to help the Red Raiders stay even coming out of the break. A hot hitting Nebraska attack once again powered the Huskers to a big run as they took a 12-6 lead. Tech would never get any closer than that, however, as Nebraska finished the match with the 30-11 win in game three.

Reigning National Player of the Year, Sarah Pavan, led three Nebraska players in double-digit kills with 18, while senior middle blocker Tracy Stalls knocked down 13 kills. Christina Houghtelling led the Husker defense with a game-high 10 digs.

With the season officially over now, Tech will now prepare for spring play. Those games, however, are not officially recognized by the NCAA. The Red Raiders return 13 players to next year's squad as they prepare to make a run at the NCAA Tournament in 2008.