Freshmen Sara Bowcutt and Elia Dinsmore powered Texas Tech volleyball past St. Thomas in five sets for the Red Raiders’ first win of 2026.
Texas Tech volleyball had its first win within reach, watched it nearly disappear and then grabbed it back before St. Thomas could complete the comeback.
The Red Raiders survived a five-set fight Saturday in Laramie, defeating the Tommies 25-17, 25-19, 20-25, 22-25 and 17-15.
The victory moved Texas Tech to 1-1 and provided an early showcase for a freshman class that refused to flinch when the match turned uncomfortable.
Sara Bowcutt led Tech with 15 kills and added 14 digs for her first collegiate double-double.
Elia Dinsmore was even more efficient, pounding 14 kills while hitting .440. She also supplied 12 digs and three aces during her first full college match.
That’s not youthful potential. That’s immediate production.
Texas Tech appeared ready to cruise after controlling the first two sets. The Red Raiders never trailed in the opener and followed with another convincing performance to build a 2-0 advantage.
St. Thomas didn’t go quietly.
The Tommies captured the third set and then forced a decisive fifth by winning the fourth.
Texas Tech led throughout the final frame, but three ties and a win-by-two finish pushed the Red Raiders beyond the standard 15-point target.
Tech finally escaped 17-15.
The freshman hitters supplied the fireworks, but Taylor Cook kept everything organized. The setter finished with 42 assists, 11 digs, three aces, three kills and three block assists.
Cook joined Bowcutt and Dinsmore as the Red Raiders recording double-doubles.
Five Texas Tech players reached double figures in digs for the first time since November 2021. Emily Contreras led that group with 17, followed by Bowcutt’s 14, Dinsmore’s 12 and 11 apiece from Cook and Maggie Boyd.
The Red Raiders posted 77 digs and 11 total blocks. That defensive pressure held St. Thomas to a .094 hitting percentage despite the Tommies finishing with 78 digs and 13 blocks.
Gretchen Sigman added nine kills, seven digs and five blocks, while Shelby Ignash and Faith Jordan also participated in five blocks apiece.
This wasn’t a polished victory. Texas Tech hit only .144, surrendered a two-set lead and came dangerously close to leaving Wyoming winless.
But young teams need proof that they can survive when momentum flips.
Bowcutt and Dinsmore gave Texas Tech exactly that.
The Red Raiders now head to Sacramento for matches against Saint Mary’s, Sacramento State and Nevada with their first victory secured—and two freshmen already demanding attention.
