Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Kansas volleyball team has a big challenge ahead of it: don’t underestimate Texas Tech.
The Jayhawks (10-8, 3-6) will face the Red Raiders (2-15, 0-8) in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech has struggled all season and has only won one set in Big 12 Conference play all season.
Upcoming games
Kansas at Texas Tech
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: United Spirit Arena, Lubbock, Texas
Missouri at Kansas
When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24
Where: Horejsi Family Athletics Center, Lawrence
While Texas Tech is the last place team in the Big 12, it could be easy for Kansas to overlook the Red Raiders coming off an emotional victory at Kansas State and with a rematch against Missouri coming up this Saturday.
Coach Ray Bechard said that if his team looks ahead in the Big 12, it could come back and bite them. The team is focused on Texas Tech, though, Bechard said.
“Small steps in this league are hard enough, and you can take big steps backwards real quick,” Bechard said. “The most important match on our schedule right now is tomorrow night at Tech.”
Texas Tech has only won a single conference match in the last three seasons, but has a new coaching staff that hopes to turn the program around. Texas Tech also has some talented players, Bechard said.
“They have some dynamic athletes. They continue to work hard and you can see they are making progress,” Bechard said. “Obviously we have to be well-prepared and execute well.”
Junior libero Melissa Manda said that it would be easy to look ahead, but the team is focused right now.
“We are going to focus on them just as any other game and try and get better this match,” Manda said.
While Texas Tech doesn’t have a conference victory yet, Texas Tech isn’t as bad as its record suggests, sophomore outside hitter Lauren Hagan said.
“I heard they played Texas and were at 20-20,” Hagan said. “They lost in three, but they still put pressure on Texas.”
Kansas hopes to use the Kansas State victory to help gain some momentum for Texas Tech and the second half of Big 12 Conference play, Manda said.
“We feel really good,” Manda said. “It was definitely a step forward for us. We aren’t letting it go to our head, but it helps boost our moral.”
— Edited by Tim Burgess
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