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Texas Tech Volleyball to Travel to Gainesville, Florida for NCAA Tournament First Round Matchup against Ohio StateRed Raiders advance to NCAA volleyball tournament for third time in four years and will play Ohio State in first round matchup
November 29, 1998 LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech volleyball team accepted its third NCAA tournament berth in four seasons as the NCAA announced the pairings for the 1998 NCAA Volleyball Tournament Sunday. The Red Raiders gathered at Texas Techs Lettermans Lounge to watch the selection show with media and other interested parties present. Texas Tech, 23-10 overall and 12-8 in the Big 12 Conference, will travel to the University of Florida and Gainesville, Fla. for its first round matchup against Ohio State (16-13) on Thursday, Dec. 3. No. 1 seed and host Florida (31-2) will play will play UT-Chattanooga (23-10) in the sites other first round matchup. The winners will play Friday for an opportunity at the Sweet Sixteen. Match times should be announced sometime on Monday. Texas Tech head coach Jeff Nelson was satisfied with the first round draw but was disappointed in Texas Techs seeding. "I think its a good draw for the first round but Im disappointed in our seeding," said Nelson who will take his third team in four years to the NCAA volleyball tournament. "Our power rankings were a lot higher than I thought our seeding would be. To get seeded in the same bracket as a No. 1 seed surprised me. Florida is a great place to play. Hopefully well be inspired." The NCAA volleyball tournament increased its field from 56 teams to 64 teams with the 1998 season. Texas Tech failed to make the tournament field last year after finishing seventh in the Big 12 at 10-10 with a 23-11 record. "Weve played at Florida before in 1995," Nelson said. "Four of our seniors played out there. It wont be that bad as it would be going somewhere else because well know what to expect." The Red Raiders played against Florida in 1995 and almost knocked off No. 1 ranked Florida that year 3-2. Four Texas Tech seniors- setter Lisa Hilgers, outside hitter Kristen Holmes, middle blocker Sonia Moric and defensive specilist Kim Breitbach played at Florida that year. But Texas Tech will play Ohio State in its first round matchup. "Ohio State has struggled some this season but has come on strong as of late," Nelson said of the Buckeyes. "Theyre really playing well. Its going to be a tough match for us. Ohio State comes from an outstanding Big 10 Conference so it should be a tough first round match." Texas Tech defeated both Kansas (3-0) and Oklahoma (3-0) this weekend to conclude its regular season schedule. The Red Raiders will enter the tournament nationally ranked and on a four-match winning streak. TEXAS TECH VOLLEYBALL NCAA TOURNAMENT NOTES ·Head coach Jeff Nelson will make his third NCAA Tournament appearance in four years as head coach. He is 1-2 in NCAA Tournament matches. He has also led Texas Tech to four straight 20+ win seasons. ·Texas Tech appears in the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in the 1990s. Prior to this season, Texas Tech volleyball has competed in the NCAA Tournament in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996 and now 1998. ·Texas Tech's overall record in NCAA Tournament games is 3-5 overall. ·Texas Tech has never advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. It has advanced to the second round game three times in its NCAA history (1990, 1991 and 1995). ·Texas Tech will be entering the NCAA Tournament on a four-match winning streak, it's best win streak upon entering the NCAA Tournament since winning 11 straight upon entering the 1990 NCAA Tournament. The 1990 team finished the season 30-3. TEXAS TECH IN THE 1998 NCAA VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT NCAA First Round/University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. Thursday, December 3, 1998 (Match times have yet to be determined) Texas Tech (23-10) vs. Ohio State (16-13); UT-Chattanooga (23-10) vs. No. 1 seed Florida (31-2) NCAA Second Round/University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. Winners to play on Thursday**times have yet to be determined |
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