No. 17 VB Records Sweep, Season Sweep of Texas Tech

Wednesday, November 20

Waco, Texas

7PM

Baylor

19-7,11-4Big 12

Texas Tech

13-14,5-10Big 12

Texas Tech

Baylor

No. 17 VB Records Sweep, Season Sweep of Texas Tech

11/20/2024 9:27:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Bears add another win to their sheet

By Jerry Hill
Baylor Bear Insider

WACO, Texas – Since dropping three-straight on the road more than a month ago, Baylor volleyball coach Ryan McGuyre just wanted to "win out and keep stacking wins together."

The 17^th-ranked Bears (19-7, 11-4) did just that, sweeping Texas Tech, 29-27, 25-18, 25-18, Wednesday night at the Ferrell Center behind a .299 hitting percentage and 17 kills from senior outside hitter Elise McGhee.

It was Baylor's ninth win its last 10 matches and completed the series sweep of Tech, which fell to 13-14 overall and 5-10 in the Big 12.

"Win or lose, I don't care; we want to win, that's what we're here to do," said McGuyre, who is one win shy of his eighth 20-win season in 10 years at Baylor. "But we want to be playing our best volleyball as we head into December."

That's why McGuyre wasn't totally pleased with the Bears' sixth sweep in their last 10 matches. Baylor had 11 service errors with only two aces, had six less kills (41-35) than the Red Raiders and got out-dug, 48-42.

"For this team and how we're built, we just need to be good, always, in all phases," McGuyre said. "We always want to be great from the service line. We've had matches where we've been great. We've all had moments where we're good serving. We've had other matches where maybe our blocking was better, where we good in all areas but we were great in blocking.

"Last time, that was the difference there. We were kind of average in all the other areas, and we were great at blocking. That was the difference to get out of the gym."

After out-blocking Tech, 14-6, in a 3-0 sweep on Nov. 6 in Lubbock, Baylor dominated on the blocks again with a 9-0 edge. McGhee assisted on three, while middle blockers Victoria Davis and Alicia Andrew had five and four blocks, respectively.

Baylor's dominance at the net, though, was offset by the 11 service errors. Six different players had service errors, including McGhee with three, while Lauren Briseño and Telani Ulufatu had the team's only two aces.

"We did really good from the attack, only six attack errors," McGuyre said, "but pretty much twice as many from the service line. That helped them side out more than they needed; too many in the third set. We'd get a first-ball kill and then we'd go miss a serve. We've served well in matches, but we've got to figure out why that showed up again ti did a little bit today."

Tech led by as many as four in a back-and-forth first set, but Baylor reeled off four-straight points on kills by McGhee and Grace Carroll, an attack error by the Red Raiders and a combo block by McGhee and Andrew.

After surviving two set points by Tech, Baylor closed out the first set, 29-27, on back-to-back kills by McGhee.

"The trust is there." Auburn transfer setter Jackie Barrett Frazier said, "and it's fun setting (McGhee)."

Tech kept it close in the second set, but the Bears scored five of the last six points in a run that included kills by Frazier and McGhee and a service error by Brynn Williams on set point. McGhee recorded six blocks in the third set, including the last two on assists from sophomore setter Harley Kreck.

Andrew hit .385 for the match with five kills and no errors on 13 attempts with three solo blocks, three assists, one dig and an assist. Frazier added three dump kills to go with 19 assists, five digs and three blocks.

Baylor will host Houston (11-14, 6-9) in its final home match at 2 p.m. Saturday, honoring McGhee, Frazier, Briseño and fellow seniors Faith Lynch, Ava Grace Haggard, Manuela Bibinbe and Howard University transfer Jennifer Bolden.

The Bears, who were 20^th in the PRI going into the week, close out with road matches at Cincinnati (13-12, 4-10) next Wednesday and West Virginia (8-17, 2-12) on Friday.

WACO, Texas – The 17th-ranked Baylor volleyball squad got the sweep of Texas Tech on Wednesday night at the Ferrell Center, 3-0.

With the win, the Bears (19-7, 11-4) took the season sweep of the Red Raiders (13-14, 5-10) as well. BU won the first set 29-27, the next at 25-18 and the final frame in the same fashion, 25-18.

Leading for the Bears were Elise McGhee (17 kills), Jackie Barrett Frazier (19 assists), and Lauren Briseño (12 digs) with Victoria Davis recording five blocks.

THE RUNDOWN
Set 1
The set began with Texas Tech on the board first, but service errors quickly leveled the score at 2-2. Baylor regained momentum with a kill by Allie Sczech and from Elise McGhee to go up 4-2. TTU responded with a service ace, but Sczech and McGhee combined for kills to keep BU in front. TTU found success on offense to keep in step and maintained a close lead. The Bears came back with key kills from McGhee and Kendal Murphy to pull within two, 12-14. TTU extended the gap with a kill, and Sczech and McGhee helped push their own offense with kills. Staying close, McGhee and Alicia Andrew got the block at 20-21, BU leading. McGhee had set point at 24-23 but the set rolled on. It became Tech's set point, but Murphy staved it off with a swing. The teams traded points, reaching 27-27 before McGhee's clutch kills sealed the set for Baylor, 27-29.

Set 2
Texas Tech took an early lead at 2-1 after service errors from both sides. Baylor quickly responded with a kill by McGhee, tying the score at 3-3. The Bears capitalized on TTU's errors, while McGhee and Murphy delivered key kills to help Baylor maintain a close score at 6-5, Texas Tech leading. Baylor's defense played a pivotal role, with Jackie Barrett Frazier and Victoria Davis teaming up for a block that shifted momentum. A service ace by Tehani Ulufatu brought the Bears ahead, 15-14. From there, Baylor controlled the pace, with McGhee and Murphy continuing to deliver strong offensive plays. The Bears pulled ahead to 19-15 after an attack error from TTU, and stayed composed as TTU attempted a comeback, with Alicia Andrew securing a solo block at a critical moment to extend the Bears' lead. McGhee added another crucial kill, and Baylor's teamwork on both offense and defense solidified their control. Baylor clinched the set with a final kill by McGhee, taking it 25-18 over Texas Tech.

Set 3
TTU once again came out swinging, but Baylor quickly responded with a kill by McGhee to tie it. Baylor gained momentum as McGhee tallied another kill, and an attack error by TTU pushed the Bears ahead. Texas Tech stayed in the mix, leveling the score after a kill. The Bears found their rhythm, with McGhee continuing to dominate offensively, and multiple attack errors from TTU helped BU maintain their lead. Andrew's kill extended the Bears' advantage to 7-5, but a service error allowed TTU to stay within striking distance. Baylor's defense stepped up as McGhee and Andrew combined for a block, putting BU ahead dominantly at 15-9. Coming out of the media timeout, Baylor stayed sharp, with Barrett Frazier and Briseño contributing on key plays. A service ace by Briseño increased the gap to 17-9. Despite Texas Tech's efforts to claw back with a kill by Mia Wesley, Baylor's teamwork on blocks and consistent kills by McGhee and Andrew kept the Bears firmly in control. TTU managed to add a few late points, but Baylor sealed the set with another kill from McGhee, taking it 25-18 and securing the match.

HIGHLIGHTS

There have been 20 sets where BU has won/lost by the required two points, the most recent being in set one where BU won 29-27
McGhee has led the team in kills for 10 matches in a row
BU earned its 15^th home win of the season

UP NEXT
The Bears return to the Ferrell Center on Saturday, Nov. 23, against Houston with a start time of 2 p.m. for their Senior Day celebration.

To stay up to date all year long on all things Baylor volleyball, follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @BaylorVBall.

- BaylorBears.com -