No. 21 Jayhawks Sweep Texas Tech

Sept. 22, 2004

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – The No. 21 Kansas volleyball team notched a season-high 71 digs as it swept Texas Tech for its first Big 12 Conference win of the season Wednesday night at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center. The Jayhawks (10-1, 1-1 Big 12) defeated the Lady Raiders 30-24, 30-23 and 30-20, to remain 5-0 on their home court.

Texas Tech (5-4, 1-2 Big 12) took a 5-0 lead in game one but the Jayhawks scored six unanswered points to take the 6-5 lead. KU led the remainder of the game by as many as eight but Tech would not go quietly, battling until KU finished, 30-24.

Tech tied game two 9-9 but could not overcome KU’s blocking threat. The Lady Raiders rallied back to 22-20 but KU ended the game with a 8-3 run. Game three was filled with long rallies and strong defense as KU notched six unanswered points late to take a commanding 28-19 lead. Once again, setter Andi Rozum ended the game and match with an unassisted kill, 30-20.

Junior middle blocker Josi Lima led KU with 14 kills in 27 attempts and added 14 digs and two block solos in the win. Senior libero Jill Dorsey posted match-high 19 digs for a total of four Jayhawks in double-digit digs.

Senior middle blocker Ashley Michaels added 13 kills (.375 hitting percentage) and combined with Rozum for seven block assists each. Rozum led all players with 39 assists and put down six kills in the victory.

Freshman Emily Brown added 13 digs and 10 kills while junior Paula Caten had a career-high 10 digs of her own. KU hit .236 on the night and held the Lady Raiders to just a .071 hitting percentage.

As a team, KU posted 13.0 blocks to Tech’s 10.0 but out-dug them 71-37. The 71 digs are the most in a three-game match since the Jayhawks tallied 72 against Morehead State on Sept. 6, 2002.

The Lady Raiders were led by Amy Charlebois, who had 10 kills and eight assists.

“Dorsey led the defensive charge tonight. The difference in the number of digs is big for us against such a tough Tech defense,” KU head coach Ray Bechard said. “However, we will be facing a totally different team in Texas. They have much more power and it will be tough if they come in here undefeated. We just have to defend our home court.”

KU will next be in action at Horejsi at 7 p.m. Saturday as it takes on No. 22 Texas (10-0, 3-0 Big 12). The first 300 fans through the doors will receive a free KU game-day T-shirt.

– KU –