Broncos Edge Techsters in Five Games

RUSTON - A career night for junior Shannon Phillips would prove to be just short of what the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters (5-12; 0-1 WAC) needed as the Boise State Lady Broncos (7-6; 1-0 WAC) forced a marathon match and bested the Techsters in five games. Phillips led the way for the Techsters with a career high 30 kills, putting her second third in the Tech history books in kills in a match. The junior had her fifteenth double-double out of 17 matches which is ranked first in the WAC and a hitting percentage of .348. "It was an unbelievable night for her," Tech head coach Heather Mazeitis said. "She played fantastic. She did what we needed her to do. That`s the best I`ve ever seen her play. That`s what she`s capable of doing, and that`s hopefully what she can bring to us as conference progresses." Tech jumped ahead of Boise in the first two games 30-24 and 30-22, but the Lady Broncos forced a game five after winning back-to-back games 30-27 and 30-22. In game five, both teams were able to maintain consistent scoring but the Lady Broncos finally edged ahead to win the match with the final game score 23-21. "Overall, I`m extremely disappointed we lost," Mazeitis said. "But I`m incredibly optimistic about where this team is headed." Statistically, the Lady Techsters dominated every category except for what would prove to be the crucial element: service errors. Tech committed 23 service errors to Boise State`s five. "We out-hit them, we out-blocked them, we out-dug them, but you can`t win missing 23 serves," Mazeitis said. "It`s impossible. Then we miss four serves in game five. It`s very difficult to win that way. It`s tough to know that`s why we lost, but it`s also good to know that`s why we lost. Everything else points to us playing a great match. I can`t be disappointed in my kids." Freshman KC Clayton finished the night with 16 kills and 3.5 total blocks. Junior Kristen Fairbanks also tacked on 12 kills. Junior setter Jillann Walker added 66 assists, while sophomore Brittney Nakamura ended the game with 26 digs. "We`ll bounce back," Mazeitis said. "Saturday (against Idaho) will be a great match. This is the best I`ve seen my kids play, and if this is what we can do, then we`re going to be just fine in conference." The Lady Techsters will return to action Saturday night at 7 p.m. against Idaho in the Thomas Assembly Center.