Texas Tech sports news roundup: Soccer advances, Lady Raiders win, more

Here is your Texas Tech sports news roundup for November 18, 2024.

Texas Tech soccer picks up NCAA Tournament win

Thanks to a 2-1 win over LSU on Friday night, the Texas Tech soccer team is heading to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Now, the Red Raiders must tangle with the nation's top overall seed, Duke.

In front of 1,788 fans in Lubbock, Tech got goals from Taylor Zdrojewski and Skylar Haase, each of which was assisted by Macy Blackburn. That staked the Red Raiders to a 2-0 halftime lead. Blackburn now has 33 career assists, the most in Texas Tech history.

With Friday's win in the books, Tech is now 7-0-1 all-time in the First Round at the John Walker Soccer Complex and the program has advanced to the NCAA Round of 32 in all eight tournaments in which it has hosted an NCAA Tournament First Round match.

The win also gave Tech its seventh 15-win season since 2012. Tech has also now won or tied 35 straight games in which it has scored at least two goals.

Now, the Red Raiders will try to knock off No. 1 seed Duke this Friday night in Durham, North Carolina. The game begins at 5:30 p.m. Central.

Texas Tech Lady Raiders pick up impressive home win

For the second straight game, the Texas Tech Lady Raiders were challenged at home on Saturday. And for the second straight game, they responded with an impressive win.

After beating New Mexico 75-68 last Tuesday in Lubbock, the Lady Raiders took out Washington State 56-52 this weekend. The triumph kept the team perfect on the season at 4-0.

In the defensive struggle, Tech forced 19 turnovers. Additionally, the Lady Raiders came up with six blocks as a team.

Jasmine Shavers led the team in scoring with 13 points. Nine of those came in the 4th quarter. Meanwhile, Bailey Maupin added 11 points to the winning cause.

"What a huge win for our program, for this team," head coach Krista Gerlich said. "I'm so proud of the grit and the determination that we played with. It was not pretty by any means, but that was a win that we needed to grind out. It was a game of runs, and we never let one get out of control.

"I thought we had a response each time went on one, and I thought that these two young ladies [Jasmine ShaversandBailey Maupin] stepped up in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line and went to war. I mean, really went to war, and that's what we got to have. And we had so many kids that stepped up and did some really good things. And again, not playing our best basketball and finding a way to win is huge for us. I have a lot of respect for, obviously, Kamie Ethridge, her as a player and a coach, and what she's done, and that's a good basketball team. That's a really good basketball team, and they have a great tradition, and that's a huge win for us."

Next, Texas Tech will host Abilene Christian on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. at the United Supermarkets Arena.

Texas Tech runner Kipchoge wins NCAA Regional

In Reno, Nevada this weekend, Texas Tech cross-country runner Solomon Kipchoge captured the Mountain Regional individual title. Covering the 10k course in a time of 28:55.9, he bested the field and secured his spot in this weekend's NCAA Championship.

Kipchoge becomes the second Red Raider in the men's program history to win the Mountain Region race and the first since Kennedy Kithuka (2012, 2013).

Also qualifying for the NCAA Championships was Red Raider Ernest Cheruiyot who finished third with a time of 29:17.6. That meet will take place Saturday in Madison, Wisconsin.

Texas Tech volleyball swept on Senior Day

Saturday, the Texas Tech volleyball team was swept by Iowa State on Senior Day. The loss dropped the Red Raiders to 13-13 on the season.

Tech had three players combine for 34 of their 37 kills including Brynn Williams (14), Mia Wesley (10), and Emily Merrick (10). Hanna Borer recorded her third double-double of the season as she posted 28 assists and 11 digs. Maddie Correa finished with nine digs and three assists while also picking up a kill.

Next, The Red Raiders will travel to Baylor and TCU this week for their final road matches of the season.