By MATT DEARMAN

Sports Writer

The Tech volleyball team struggled through the Mississippi State University Microtel Invitational in Starkville, Miss., on Sept. 17 and 18, dropping matches to Memphis, Mississippi State and Eastern Kentucky.

Tech (3-8) entered the tournament without starting freshman setter Rhyann Enny, who injured her ankle in a practice session two days before the invitational. Enny's status has been day-to-day, but she is expected to return this week.

"In the first tournament, we were trying to figure out which [players] to use," head coach Heather Mazeitis said. "Then this weekend [Rhyann] got hurt, and the setter that hasn't been playing now plays. It's not that she did a bad job, but it's a completely different feel of the game. An adjustment period takes place, but we should get back on track pretty quick."

In the match with Memphis (10-4), 10 service errors were too much for Tech to overcome as the Lady Tigers swept the match 30-24, 30-23, 30-28.

The Lady Techster offense struggled from the start of the match, as five service errors in game one gave Memphis momentum that Tech never overcame.

Tech did manage to put forth a solid rally in the final game, tying the score at 28 before conceding the final two points.

Senior Megan Rush led Tech's offense with 10 kills, followed by sophomore Kristen Fairbanks' nine kills.

Tech's offensive struggles carried into the second day of the tournament. The Techsters came out strong in the opening game with Mississippi State (6-5), but offensive miscues, including 15 service errors, opened the door for the Lady Bulldogs who came back to win the match 16-30, 33-31, 30-19, 30-32, 18-16.

Rush again led Tech's offense with 19 kills and also contributed 13 digs and five blocks in the match.

The trouble continued for Tech in their final match of the invitational, as Eastern Kentucky (9-3) swept the Techsters 30-23, 30-28, 30-27.

Tech held the lead several times throughout the match, including a 24-18 lead in game three, but the Techsters were unable to capitalize on these leads, however, as the Lady Colonels rallied back each time and extended the Techsters' losing streak to five matches.

Prior to the tournament in Starkville, the Lady Techsters traveled to Austin, Texas, to compete in the Time Warner Cable University of Texas Invitational on Sept. 10 and 11.

The Techsters performed well in Austin, claiming a victory over Liberty University and putting forth solid performances in losses to the No. 22 nationally-ranked University of Texas and Louisiana State University.

Tech dispatched Liberty (1-9) handily, winning in three games with scores of 30-22, 30-15 and 30-23 and recording eight aces in the contest. Senior Joy Okpa led the Techsters with 15 kills and 12 digs.

Following the win over Liberty, Tech faced unbeaten Texas (9-0) and LSU (8-1), where the Techsters played six solid games despite being outmatched.

The high powered Texas offense proved too much for the Lady Techsters, tallying up 60 kills and nine aces en route to a 30-13, 30-17, 30-17 victory.

Tech played tight against LSU in the match, losing each game by four or less points. Okpa led the way offensively with 12 kills, followed by Rush with nine and senior Natalie Shipp with eight.

Tech returns to action on September 23 to host Boise State University and open Western Athletic Conference play.