Tennis
Men’s Tennis Falls to North Carolina. The men’s tennis team dropped their first match of the year, 4-1, to North Carolina yesterday morning in the ITA National Indoor Championships in Virginia.
“It’s a disappointing loss because of the fact that we got outplayed and didn’t match the level of the intensity that our competition played with following the huge win we had in doubles,” Texas Tech Brett Masi said. “If you beat team like North Carolina, you have to be ready for their best each point. Hats off to UNC for their efforts. We’ve got a quick turnaround ahead to play Baylor tomorrow morning. I feel confident that we can learn from our mistakes and raise our level of play.”
Texas Tech will face Baylor in the consolation match today.
Women Take Down Wisconsin. The ladies dropped Wisconsin yesterday, 4-1, to move to 7-1 on the year.
“I’m very proud of how emotionally invested the team was during today’s match,” Texas Tech head coach Todd Petty said. “We didn’t play the cleanest tennis but everyone competed very well. Give credit to Wisconsin for battling us in every position, they are a very tough team that didn’t go away.”
Softball
Softball Goes 1-1 on Friday. The Texas Tech softball team went 1-1 on the day yesterday, beating Utah Valley, 5-1, and then losing to No. 20 Washington, 14-5, in the second game. The Red Raiders will play Long Beach State and No. 14 Minnesota on Saturday.
Track & Field
Split Squad Results in Three Wins. Again, Texas Tech has their squad split this weekend, at the Tyson Invitational and the Music City Challenge. Lots of details there, including C.J. Jones winning the 800m from beginning to end.
Lady Raider Basketball
Swoopes Nominated for Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Via ESPN, former Lady Raider basketballer Sheryl Swoopes has been chosen as a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Lady Raiders to Host Baylor. Texas Tech will host No. 4 Baylor at the United Supermarkets Arena at 2:00 pm this afternoon. This will be the senior game for the four seniors on the team, Paige Parliment, Ryann Bowser, Jamie Roe and Rayven Brooks. This is also the “Play 4 Kay Pink” game, where the team will wear pink uniforms to honor the former NC State coach. The LAJ has a preview of the game. Here’s coach Candi Whitaker from the official site:
“We are really proud to be able to partner with Play 4 Kay for this game,” head coach Candi Whitaker said. “I think Texas Tech has been a great example for other schools in how we represent Play 4 Kay and our commitment to that organization. I love that our community as well as student-athletes from a variety of sports get involved with the pink treadmill walk to raise money and awareness. This touches all of our lives, and I think women’s basketball has really united behind this cause.”
Football
Recruiting Recap. ESPN’s Max Olson recaps Texas Tech’s recruting efforts, noting how Texas Tech addressed their biggest need, at defensive line:
The Red Raiders are definitely heading in the right direction in terms of numbers. The staff signed seven defensive linemen last week and only one of them, DT Mychealon Thomas, came from the junior college ranks.
When defensive ends Houston Miller, Noah Jones and Clarence Henderson and defensive tackles Thomas, Ivory Jackson, Joe Wallace and Nick McCann get on campus, Kliff Kingsbury has said they’re all going to be thrown into the mix. Any of them could play this season.
Throw in transfers Ondre Pipkins (Michigan) and Kolin Hill (Notre Dame), who’ll be eligible in 2016, and there should be good battles for jobs going forward. The only guy who’s a lock to start, at least at this point, would be Fehoko. Competition can decide the rest.