RUSTON – Louisiana Tech tied the program record for most blocks in a match during the rally scoring era, but that was not enough as the Bulldogs fell to Sam Houston in four sets (25-21, 25-27, 22-25, 22-25) on Wednesday night inside the Thomas Assembly Center.
 
Louisiana Tech (6-12, 0-6) recorded 18 blocks - four solo and 28 assists - to tie the record from October 1, 2005, when the sets were played to 30. It is the most during the current 25-point sets.
 
The offense got the Bulldogs out to an early lead. Lauren Albrecht scored the first point off the initial serve with an ace. Rori Gray, Jailen Hurley, Carla Esquer, and Giulia Bonifacio all had kills, and Bonifacio scored an ace in getting LA Tech out in front 8-4. Sam Houston (9-8. 4-2) closed the gap to one before the Bulldogs attacked again to go ahead by five. From there, the Bulldog's defense started to find their footing and finished the set with three blocks and 14 digs while holding the Bearkats to a .143 hitting clip.
 
The Bulldog's defense was a crucial factor in the second set. With Tech down 21-15, Grace Luevanos, Williams, Hurley, and Gray combined for four blocks to help give the Bulldogs the lead at 25-24. The eight total blocks in the set would not be enough, as Sam Houston would get the final three points.
 
Tech would add three blocks in the third and four in the fourth set but couldn't close out the sets after having leads late in both.
 
Williams led the defense with nine blocks, the fourth time this season with eight or more. Gray had eight, followed by Hurley with six. Bonifacio, Esquer, and Megan Cooley had multiple blocks apiece, and Luevanos had the other for the Bulldogs.
 
Albrecht and Bonifacio had double-doubles for LA Tech. Bonifacio had 10 kills and 12 digs for her first one as a Bulldog, while Albrecht had her second consecutive with 22 assists and 10 digs. Hurley had a team-high 14 kills, and Luevanos had a match-high 21 digs.
 
Sam Houston had three in double figures, led by Alyssa Fielder with 16 kills while adding 17 digs. Lylah Washington and Michaela Panekova had double-doubles as well. Washington finished with 12 kills and 13 digs, and Panekova had 13 and 16.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amber McCray
 
"Tonight was a tale of two teams who both played extremely hard, unfortunately we just did not capitalize on enough plays in the red zone to win the match. I am very proud of the fight we showed tonight in a number of moments, including coming back from a huge deficit in the 2nd set to be just a point away from clinching and going up 2-0.   Our block was on fire this match and even had multiple positive touches that allowed us to score in transition in addition to the 17 total blocks. I also thought we did a much better job serving and passing tonight than last night, and that gave us more chances to convert as well. Even with several attackers we depend on being off offensively tonight, we were still in position to win each set. I know it was still a loss, but this one came with much more to build on and a lot of season left."
 
NOTABLES

• The eight block assists by Charlize Williams are tied for 10th most in a single match in program history.
• The 18 block assists are tied for third most in a match in history, including side-out scoring.
• Grace Luevanos' 21 digs are a career high.
• LA Tech got kills from nine players.
• Tech dropped to 6-12 all-time against Sam Houston.

 
UP NEXT
LA Tech will have a short turnaround before they host UTEP for a two-game series starting on Saturday. First serve will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday with both matches streamed on ESPN+.
 
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