CLEMSON, S.C. – The Louisiana Tech volleyball team got its 2022 season underway on Friday, falling 3-1 to Austin Peay before bouncing back to defeat Presbyterian 3-1 on day one of the Big Orange Bash at Jervey Gym.
 
After trailing by seven in the first set of the opening match, LA Tech (1-1) put together a 6-0 scoring run to get to within one.  However, Austin Peay (1-0) responded by winning seven of the last 10 points to take the set, 25-20.
 
The Governors managed a one-point lead again at 21-20 in the second set.  However, this time it was the Lady Techsters who closed it out by claiming five of the last six points (including three kills by outside hitter Chard'e Vanzandt). 
 
LA Tech never gained the lead in set three though as Austin Peay took a 2-1 advantage with a 25-18 win.  The Lady Techsters had the upper hand in the fourth set at 13-11, but the Governors countered with a massive 10-0 run to claim the 3-1 win (25-20, 22-25, 25-18, 25-17).
 
The team came out on fire a few hours later against Presbyterian (0-1), producing 14 kills and seven aces (four from McKenzie Johnson) take a dominant 25-13 win in set one.
 
The Blue Hose jumped out to an early 6-1 lead though in the second set.  The Lady Techsters cut their deficit down to one at 17-16, but PC won eight of the last nine points to even things up at 1-1. 
 
Set three was the closest with seven ties and three lead changes.  LA Tech was on track to run away with it, up 20-14 until Presbyterian won six straight points to knot things up at 20-20.  The Blue Hose had a set point, but the Lady Techsters fended it out with a kill by Morgan Smith.  Back-to-back attack errors gave LA Tech a 2-1 edge. 
 
The Lady Techsters never trailed in the fourth set, building a double-digit before claiming their first victory of the season at 3-1 (25-13, 17-25, 26-24, 25-16).
 
Vanzandt anchored the team in total kills in both matches, amassing 32 for the day.  Ashley Taylor (24) and Andrea Spasojevic (22) followed in the kills category.  Johnson registered a team-high 26 combined digs as well as five service aces (all against Presbyterian).  And Ashley Jones accumulated 92 combined assists.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amber McCray
 
MATCH 1
"This was a solid first day for our team.  We knew opening with a team like Austin Peay who is fresh off a 20-win season and nine returners would be a challenge.  While the speed and depth of their offense proved to be too much for us to overcome in our first match of the season, it was exciting to see us have moments where everything clicked and we did some great things against a talented team."
 
MATCH 2
"For us to bounce back just a few hours later and get the win against a scrappy Presbyterian team is a sign of growth for our team.  Our offense shined this match led by both of our outsides and both middles.  Ashley Jones was outstanding in anchoring our offense and if we can continue to stay as balanced as we were this afternoon we will be tough to beat."
 
NOTABLES

• Jailen Hurley, Andrea Spasojevic, Carla Esquer, Chard'e Vanzandt, Ashley Taylor, Kalee Cadwell, Sydney Jackwin and Ashley Jones saw their first career action as Lady Techsters.
• Amber McCray picked up career win No. 191 as a collegiate head coach.
• LA Tech produced a .405 hitting percentage against Presbyterian, the highest since 2016.
• LA Tech registered 12 service aces against Presbyterian, tying for the most in a single game since 2016.
• Chard'e Vanzandt totaled 32 kills in her LA Tech debut, leading the squad in both matches (13 against Austin Peay and 19 against Presbyterian).
• McKenzie Johnson registered a career-high five service aces versus Presbyterian.
• McKenzie Johnson extended her double-digit digs streak to 23 (totaled 15 against Presbyterian and 11 versus Austin Peay).
• Ashley Jones tallied 52 assists versus Presbyterian, the most by a Lady Techster since 2017.

UP NEXT
LA Tech will close out the opening tournament against host Clemson on Saturday, Aug. 27.  First serve is set for 11:30 a.m. CT and will be streamed live on ACCNX.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in LA Tech Volleyball, follow them on Twitter (@LATechVB), Instagram (@LATechVB) and Facebook (LATechVolleyball).