Jayhawks Look For Big 12 Home Victory Against Texas Tech

Sept. 20, 2007

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

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After snapping a 12-match conference losing streak Wednesday night at Missouri, the University of Kansas volleyball team (8-5, 1-2 Big 12) will look for its second Big 12 victory this Saturday when it plays host to Texas Tech (7-5, 1-2 Big 12) at 1 p.m. in the Horejsi Athletics Center.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

A Glance At the Jayhawks

Fresh off its first conference win since October 2006, the <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>University of Kansas volleyball team is 8-5 overall and 1-2 in Big 12 play. After 13 matches, freshman Jenna Kaiser continues to pace the offense with 2.52 kills per game, while sophomore Brittany Williams is hitting a team-high .265 and chipping in over a block per game (1.02).

In Big 12 games, junior Savannah Noyes leads the Jayhawks with 2.83 kpg on a .324 hitting percentage. Senior Emily Brown has done an impressive job running the offense averaging 7.08 assists per game with the help of sophomore Katie Martincich (4.08 apg). Senior Caitlin Mahoney has shined since conference play started. The middle blocker leads KU with an impressive 1.42 bpg.

Scouting Texas Tech

In ninth place in the conference, Texas Tech is 1-2 in Big 12 play and 7-5 overall after dropping its last two contests to No. 1 Nebraska 3-0 and Texas A&M 3-2. The Red Raiders boast the sixth and eighth top hitters in league play in senior duo Emily Ziegler and Alicia Ostmeyer, who hit at .398 and .389 clips, respectively. Ziegler also leads the squad with 10.82 assists per game, 10th in the Big 12. In TTU’s most recent game at Texas A&M, four players notched double-digit kills. Michelle Flores led the team with 18, her 10th time in 12 matches this season, followed by Amy Gandy and Ostmeyer who pitched in 16 each, and Brandi Hood with 10.

The Series

Texas Tech leads the all-time series against the Jayhawks, 15-8 and has claimed three of the last four meetings between the teams.

The teams are tied 5-5 in matches played on Kansas’ home court. Coach Ray Bechard is 5-3 against the Red Raiders at home.

Last Meeting With the Red Raiders

Kansas and Texas Tech last met in Lawrence, Kan., on Oct. 28, 2006. The Red Raiders edged KU 3-2 (27-30, 30-28, 22-30, 30-28, 15-9) on the Jayhawks’ home court.

KU’s Win Over Missouri…

– Marks the first conference road win since Nov. 9, 2005, when the Jayhawks notched a 3-1 victory at Oklahoma.

– Snapped a 12-match conference losing streak. The last Big 12 win Kansas recorded came on Oct. 14, 2006 against Baylor. KU won 3-0.

– Was KU’s first win at the HearnesCenter since Nov. 13, 2001.

– Was Kansas’ first five-game conference match since a 3-2 loss versus Texas Tech on Oct. 28, 2006.

– Was the Jayhawks’ first five-game Big 12 road victory since a 3-2 win at Colorado Oct. 1, 2005.

Up Next

The Jayhawks will stay at home for a match against the No. 1 ranked Nebraska Huskers. KU’s match against the defending National Champions is slated for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26.

Follow the Jayhawks

Can’t watch the game? Fans can follow live stats of Wednesday’s match at KUathletics.com.