MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Looking to shake off a two-match skid in Big 12 play, the West Virginia University volleyball team will host Big 12 foe Texas Tech on Saturday afternoon. First serve is set for 1 p.m. ET inside the WVU Coliseum.
 
This week's contest marks the second meeting of the season between the Mountaineers (15-11, 3-9) and the Red Raiders (14-11, 3-9), as both squads sit in a two-way tie for sixth place in the Big 12 standings. TTU took the 7-6 lead in the all-time series earlier this season, defeating WVU in four sets on Sept. 27, in Lubbock, Texas.
 
"They [Texas Tech] are playing well right now," said third-year coach Reed Sunahara. "We play well at home, so we just have to be prepared for when they come to town on Saturday."
 
The first 500 fans through the gate will receive a free mini volleyball. The Mountaineers also will host a free youth clinic following the match. Tickets are available by visiting WVUGAME.com, calling 1-800-WVU-GAME or at the Mountaineer Ticket Office, located at the Gold Gate of the WVU Coliseum.
 
Most recently, West Virginia suffered a 3-0 loss to No. 24 Iowa State on Wednesday. The Cyclones took the match in set scores of 25-18, 25-16 and 25-19 in Morgantown. Sophomore outside hitter Payton Caffrey led WVU with eight kills in the match, adding five digs and two service aces as well. Senior outside hitter Morgan Montgomery had seven kills, finishing with a team-best .333 on the night. Senior middle blocker Mia Swanegan led the blocking effort with four, while Montgomery added three. Sophomore setter Erin Slinde dished out 22 assists, while senior libero Gianna Gotterba notched a team-high 11 digs. The Mountaineers posted 28 kills and five team blocks in the loss.
 
Wednesday night's loss was WVU's first at home since Oct. 4, when the Mountaineers fell to the No. 11 Jayhawks in four sets. West Virginia is currently 6-4 at the WVU Coliseum this season and is 305-228 at home all-time.
 
Through 26 matches, Caffrey continues to lead the Big 12 with 0.43 service aces per set and ranks inside the top 10 in points (seventh) and kills (10th). Slinde sits inside the top six in service aces (tied for sixth) and assists (fifth), averaging 0.24 service aces and 9.66 assists per set. Swanegan also ranks fifth in the league with 1.18 blocks per set.
 
Looking ahead, West Virginia will take a week off from competition before closing its 2017 home regular-season slate on Sunday, Nov. 19. The Mountaineers will take on the No. 19-ranked Lady Bears inside the WVU Coliseum at 1 p.m. ET. Sunday is Senior Day, and prior to first serve, the Mountaineers will honor their 2017 senior class: defensive specialists Gianna Gotterba and Taylor Cross, setter Emma Anderson, middle blocker Mia Swanegan and outside hitter Morgan Montgomery.
 
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUVolleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.