Boxscore

RUSTON, La. ? Louisiana Tech struggled on the offensive end in the season opener as Stephen F. Austin defeated the Lady Techsters in four games (20-30, 31-29, 27-30, 23-30).

?I am not worried or concerned based on one match,? said Tech head coach Heather Mazeitis. ?We are doing things a bit different and with a new setter it is going to take some time.?

Tech hit just .076 as a team but there were some positives including a career high 18 kills by senior Natalie Shipp. Shipp missed all of last season with an injury so it was her first game action since the 2002 campaign.

?Natalie hit very well tonight and with the new position we have her in we are hoping that will free up Megan and Joy in the middle,? Mazeitis added.

Megan Rush and Joy Okpa also reached double figures in kills against SFA.

It was a tough opener for the Lady Techsters facing a SFA squad with six returning starters as the Lady Jacks are picked to win the Southland Conference.

Tech returns three starters and is breaking in a freshman setter.

?Our passing broke down bad tonight but this season is all about getting ready for WAC play over the next three weeks,? Mazeitis added. ?We are going to get better and I would much rather struggle now than later in the season.

Four Lady Techster recorded double figures in digs led by Heather Anderson with 19. Kirsten Fairbanks and Shipp both had 12 digs each.

Tech did have ten blocks, led by Rush with seven.

Louisiana Tech returns to action on Friday when the Lady Techsters being play at the Arkansas State Classic. Tech takes on UALR at 9 a.m. before facing ASU at 1 p.m.