Sept. 24, 2009

RUSTON - The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters (10-6) will open up Western Athletic Conference play this weekend in the Thomas Assembly Center with back-to-back matches taking on Utah State (8-4) on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and New Mexico State (5-5) on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

The Techsters are coming off an impressive comeback win over a 12-2 McNeese State team that had beaten SMU and Alabama the week before having to face Tech on Tuesday. Tech dropped the first set to the Cowgirls by a score of 25-8 before storming back to win the next three 25-22, 27-25 and 25-22.

Sophomore Nataliya Panova leads Tech in kills at this point in the season with 123 kills in 16 matches. Tech's Lori Hunsucker leads the conference in total digs with 219 while teammate Kara Jones leads the WAC in total solo blocks with 16 on the year.

Utah State went 2-1 last week to finish in second place at the Kent State/Mizuno Open, defeating Butler (21-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-20), falling to host Kent State (25-21, 25-16, 22-25, 16-25, 11-15) and sweeping Robert Morris (25-19, 25-15, 25-15).

New Mexico State, who will battle the Techsters on Sunday, topped UTEP on Tuesday 3-1 to earn their fifth win of the season. As a team, New Mexico State ranks second in the WAC with 12.66 kills per set.

After this set of conference home matches the Techsters will remain in Ruston next week when the team will take on the no. 4 team in the country, Hawaii on Thursday Oct. 1 in the Thomas Assembly Center at 7:00 p.m.

Lodging for the WAC Tournament: Fans traveling to Las Vegas for the WAC Volleyball Tournament are encouraged to stay at the Orleans Hotel and Casino. Rates are $90.00 per night Friday and Saturday, November 20-21, and $35.00 per night Sunday through Wednesday, November 22-25, single or double occupancy, plus room tax and Resort Fee. For reservations, please call (800) 657-3267 and request WAC Volleyball Championship Fan Block or Group Code 9WACC11.