Aug. 27, 2010
JONESBORO, Ark. - Despite double-doubles by outside hitters Kassia Pinto and Clara Vido, Louisiana Tech could not overcome a strong defensive effort in a 3-1 loss (22-25, 25-18, 23-25, 21-25) to in-state rival Northwestern State in the opening match of the Arkansas State Invitational.
"Northwestern played very well this morning, so we have to give credit to them," said head coach Matt Sonnichsen. "Our girls played tough and hopefully we can learn from this and rebound in the next two matches this weekend."
Behind the presence of Vido, Louisiana Tech jumped out to an early 4-0 lead as the Brazilian native led the initial charge against Northwestern with a kill and a service ace to start off the match.
In her first career start as a true freshman, Vido was a force early on as she was instrumental in Tech jumping out to a 4-0 lead with a kill and a service ace. With the Techsters maintaining control for most of the set, Northwestern would eventually even the set at 19 apiece before Lauren Joyner gave Northwestern the 20-19 edge. The Lady Demons would then win five of the next eight points to close out the first set, 25-22.
Northwestern would come out firing in the second set with Laranda Spann leading the charge with three kills en route to an early 9-4 lead. Trailing 15-11, the momentum would shift greatly for the Lady Techsters as Pinto delivered a kill, allowing Lori Hunsucker to utilize her serving prowess to give Tech an 18-16 lead. From that point, Tech would go on a 7-2 run before Vido recorded her sixth kill of the match to close out the set.
Vido finished with 11 kills and 12 digs for her first career double-double.
Northwestern, which was outhit by Tech, .345 to .143 in the second set, hit only .091 in the third set, but it was enough as the Lady Demons held Tech to a .043 hitting efficiency.
Louisiana Tech took the early lead in the third set prior to a back-and-forth struggle before Northwestern would tie the score at 20 apiece before going on a 5-3 run to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
The two squads would exchange scoring runs in the fourth set before the Lady Demons ultimately capped off the match with a 7-1 run, snapping Louisiana Tech's 25-match winning streak in the series.
The Lady Techsters (0-1) look for their first win of the season as they meet Arkansas - Pine Bluff in the second half of today's doubleheader at 5 p.m. this evening.
Notes: Tech moves to 25-3 all-time against Northwestern State... The loss snaps a 25-match winning streak against Northwestern... Kassia Pinto (15 kills - 17 digs) recorded her eighth double-double at Louisiana Tech... Clara Vido and Emily Maher saw their first action as Lady Techsters.
