Here are mentions of Texas Tech volleyball in the news from this weekend:

Texas Tech Overcomes Slow Start to Defeat UTPA - TexasTech.com

Dowdy, David Lead Texas Tech Past Southeastern Louisiana - TexasTech.com

Red Raiders Cruise to 3-0 Sweep of Grambling State - TexasTech.com

Cave, Dowdy Power Texas Tech Past Louisiana Tech - TexasTech.com

Tech volleyball pushes win streak to nine - Daily Toreador

Head on over to the United Spirit Arena after lunch to cheer on your Red Raider Volleyball team as they take on Central Arkansas in their home opener! Be EXTRA LOUD!!  

To say that those close to the volleyball program weren’t excited following the TCU Invitational might be an understatement. Now, obviously, all those involved would have liked to be 3-0, but the Red Raiders battled tough against an experienced TCU squad and then rebounded the next day by sweeping both UConn and Grambling State.

The most impressive part, in my opinion, was that the squad expected to win. Once they did win, it was as if the Red Raiders had won a 1,000 times before. As Coach Flora has said multiple times, this was part of the “journey” this program will take this season. That type of attitude is exciting to see and should provide some confidence as we head into this weekend’s Texas Tech Invitational.

Possibly the most impressive part of Tech’s play was the offensive balance. Tech had three players – Amanda Dowdy, Miara Cave, and Breeann David – with double-digit kills over the first two matches, something that hadn’t been done since 2007. This caused Tech’s hitting percentage to rise as well. The Red Raiders hit an astounding .388 against UConn, the school’s highest total since defeating South Florida in three sets on Sept. 9, 2006.

Offensive balance should become a positive trait for Tech this season, especially with the emergence of David and Cave. David is the only Tech freshman in the Big 12 era to post double-digit kills in each of her first two collegiate matches. She definitely showed why she was one of the country’s top high school recruits last year. Cave, meanwhile, reinforced what Coach Flora has said all preseason in that she could become one of the conference’s top players as she was accurate on the attack, finishing with a .453 hitting percentage over the three matches.

Several newcomers found their way into the rotation and that will be a common theme throughout the season. Of the 19 players that are not redshirting this season, only four of those are listed as a junior or senior. That will provide numerous opportunities to underclassmen, especially in the middle.  

Make sure you look at texastech.com this week as there will be several stories and videos posted previewing this weekend’s tournament.

Until next time, Guns up!

Matt

Find out more information at TexasTech.com

“The Texas Tech volleyball program will host an intersquad scrimmage and alumni match Saturday afternoon immediately following the Red Raider Fan Day event being held at the United Spirit Arena.”

“There is a certain level of excitement Don Flora gets when he watches Miara Cave, and that’s without having coached an actual match yet.

After spring drills last May, he said Cave was hands-down the most-improved player on the team. Through one week of spring drills, the first-year Texas Tech head coach remains firm on the assessment.

The key ingredient - confidence.”

Learning. I believe that’s the term I’ve heard nearly every 20 minutes of the practices I have attended so far. Good thing, too, because it really showed at last night’s Red and Black scrimmage.

Coach Flora and his staff has introduced several new concepts and systems over the past week, and with a group that currently consists of 11 newcomers, the real question has been how quickly the team would pick up the information.

“The amount of learning that has taken place this week has been phenomenal,” Flora told me. “I’ve been really impressed with how quickly the team has picked up on our systems and terminology and it should make for an exciting season.”

Breeann David and Miara Cave were two of the Red Raiders that Coach Flora praised after last night’s scrimmage. The duo should both provide solid attacking options for Tech in addition to returning All-Big 12 standout Amanda Dowdy.

In between practice and the scrimmage yesterday afternoon, the team shot several videos. One was for the “Fire Up” video that plays right before the starting lineup at home matches, while the other, which will debut on texastech.com next week, will give a brief introduction to all of Tech’s new players.

We are now officially two weeks away from the start of the 2011 season, and I think all involved are excited and ready. Continue to keep up with the action at texastech.com as we will have more information pouring out this next week to get everyone ready for the season.

Guns Up!
Matt

Ever since he was hired in January, Don Flora has described reporting day as his “other” Christmas. That’s just the excitement the first-year head coach has going into this season.

That excitement was evident tonight as 23 players reported for the start of fall camp. While reporting day normally consists of a series of meetings with various departments, you could see a look of excitement from players throughout the room, both veterans and newcomers.

If you can’t tell by the size of the reporting roster, Coach Flora wants to install a tradition of competition within the program. The next few weeks should be interesting in regards to who fits in each spot. I can say without a doubt the talent level as increased dramatically and Red Raider fans will see a different team than in years past.

Not only do we have a talented group of newcomers, but the group of returners benefitted greatly from a full spring with Coach Flora and his staff. Look out for both Tory Vaughan and Miara Cave. Coach Flora has raved about both of these juniors after the spring season and I’d fully expect them to contribute significantly this season.

As the season progresses, I’ll be right there with the team. My name is Matt Dowdy and I’m an Assistant Director for Communications here at Texas Tech, and the purpose of the blog is to keep you updated on everything Red Raider Volleyball. Sometimes it may be me chiming in or various members of the team or coaching staff.

I can honestly say as I enter my second season with the volleyball program, I could not be more excited for the start of the Don Flora Era. I think this program is headed in the right direction, and hopefully Red Raider fans will see that as well when Tech hits the court for its season opener at TCU on Aug. 26.  

Remember you can also keep up-to-date on all things Texas Tech Volleyball by logging onto texastech.com or by following @TechAthletics or @TechGameday (score updates) on Twitter. You can also follow Coach Flora (@CoachFloraTTU) and me (@Matt_Dowdy) on Twitter as well.

Until next time, Guns Up!

Matt