In what has become a bit of a trademark for WVU Volleyball (9-4, 2-1) this season, the Mountaineers rallied to pick up the victory. This time, it took going down two sets to none in Lubbock, Texas, for the old gold and blue to turn things around. Read more: WVU Volleyball pulls off heroics again, rallies for 3-2 win at Texas Tech.
Friday’s win brings WVU within one of matching this past season’s Big 12 win total. Texas Tech (8-7, 0-3) fell apart down the stretch, and the shifty Mountaineers made the most of it. In fact, the Red Raiders have now lost five straight after starting 8-2.
Close, but not enough through two sets
WVU kept it close in each of the first two sets, falling 25-23 and 29-27, respectively.
In Set 1, the Mountaineers jumped out to a 4-1 lead, and kept pace or surpassed TTU throughout the middle stages. They built as much as a 15-10 lead over the Red Raiders, but stalled while up 23-19. Tech rallied to pick up the first win.
Things did not get any easier in Set 2, as WVU never established a lead. This time, though, the fight kept up and the Mountaineers forcibly prolonged the set. Back-to-back kills from the home squad put WVU’s backs against the wall heading into the third set.
Turning the tide
Everything changed in Set 3.
Checking in about halfway through, Tech established a 12-8 lead. WVU only trailed one other time the rest of the way in the set. Up 24-21, WVU sealed the deal on a service error.
Set 4 was all WVU, going wire-to-wire and picking up the most dominant win of the bunch, 25-11. The Mountaineers looked like a completely different team in this portion of the evening.
It all came down to Set 5, with both teams 15 points away from a conference win. WVU closed it out, 15-10, thanks to several stellar performances.
Individual standouts
The reliable duo of Nina Horning and Maddy McGath led the way for the Mountaineers with 16 kills each. The pair made up 32 of the 59 total kills on the night. Anna Barr was not far behind, finishing with 10 to her name.
Horning and Reagan Turk combined for 22 digs, another factor in the comeback win.
Elia Dinsmore led TTU with 17 kills.
Find the full box score by clicking here.
What’s next
WVU is back in action Sunday, when the Mountaineers return to Hope Coliseum for a Big 12 matinee. The action begins at 1 p.m. in Morgantown, as the old gold and blue welcome Houston. The match is set to stream on ESPN+.
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