Oct. 23, 2007

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LUBBOCK, Texas - More Tough Tests Await Tech
Texas Tech faces another tough road test this week when it travels to Ames, Iowa to take on Iowa State Wednesday night. The Red Raiders will return home Saturday for a battle with in-state foe Baylor. First serve for both matches is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.

Last Time Out
Oct. 20, 2007 Slow starts in each game proved costly for Texas Tech in a 3-0 (21-30, 25-30 and 14-30) defeat at the hands of in-state foe Texas A&M Saturday night in the United Spirit Arena.

Michelle Flores knocked down 10 kills on the evening to lead the Red Raiders. Brandi Hood added nine kills to go along with three blocks. Jenn Harrell led the Tech defense with 15 digs, while Amy Gandy added six kills and a pair of service aces to go with her five digs.

Last Match with Iowa State
Texas Tech volleyball played a hard-fought contest, but the Red Raiders came up short at the hands of the Cyclones 3-1 (15-30, 25-30, 30-28 and 17-30) in the United Spirit Arena.

Tech vs. Iowa State
Tech and Iowa State will meet for the 27th time Wednesday. Tech leads the series 20-6. ISU beat the Red Raiders 3-1 in Lubbock back on Sept. 29.

Scouting the Cyclones
Christy Johnson is in her third season at the helm of the Cyclones. She has compiled a career record of 49-34 coming into this week.

ISU has a 12-8, 6-4 record on the season and are receiving votes in the AVCA/CSTV Top 25 poll. The Cyclones reached the NCAA tournament for just the second time in school history in 2006.

ISU leads the Big 12 in blocks at 3.34 bpg for a total of 247.5 team blocks. Opponents are hitting just .171 against the Cyclones.

Senior Erin Boeve paces the ISU offensive attack with 3.77 kills per game, eighth in the conference. Senior right side Lauren Cummings checks in with 3.23 kpg, while junior Jen Malcom leads the team in blocks at 1.36 bpg. Setter Kaylee Manns is averaging 12.45 assists per game, good for fifth in the conference.

Tech vs. Baylor
Saturday's showdown will mark the second time the two have met this season, and the 63rd time in the history of the two programs. Baylor took the first meeting 3-1 (17-30, 30-28, 20-30 and 22-30) in Waco.

Scouting the Bears
Jim Barnes is in his fourth year at the the reins of Baylor. He has a 56-61 record at the school coming into Saturday's match. His career record is 219-159 in 11 years.

The Bears are 11-10 and 4-7 coming into this week.

Baylor ranks third in the conference in both digs and kills. The Bears are averaging 16.33 dpg and 3.01 bpg.

Sophomore outside hitter Katie Sanders leads Baylor at 4.24 kpg, sixth in the conference. Middle Blocker Anna Breyfogle leads the Big 12 in blocks at 1.61 bpg, while Sarah Grace ranks among the best liberos in the conference with 4.49 dpg. Taylor Barnes fuels the offense with 11.85 apg and is also ranked fourth in the conference in service aces at .43 per game.