Texas Tech Sports: John Walker Soccer Complex getting natural grass field
The John Walker Soccer Complex is having its playing surface upgraded, Texas Tech Athletics announced Thursday.
Most notable among the changes is replacing the artificial turf with a natural grass field. The turf has been part of the complex since its opening in 2008.
The change, according to the news release, will put Texas Tech's field more in line with other Big 12 and Power Five programs across the country. The Gerald Myers Indoor Soccer Facility, which opened in 2012, also has natural grass.
"We are thrilled to have been able to make this transition to a state-of-the-art grass game field," Tech head coach Tom Stone said in the release.
The roughly $1 million project began in May and is expected to be completed by the time the Red Raiders open the season Aug. 20 against New Mexico State. The full non-conference schedule will be released at a later date.
Texas Tech baseball
Texas Tech pitcher Kyle Robinson has earned a spot on the Collegiate National Team, USA Baseball announced Thursday.
Robinson is one of 31 players to make the team that will compete in a pair of five-game friendly series against Chinese Taipaei and Japan June 30-12. Games will be played at various locations around North and South Carolina.
The right-hander was named to the squad after competing in a four-game intrasquad series play at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. Tech teammate Mason Molina also competed in the intrasquad series but was not selected to the national team.
Robinson had four strikeouts in three innings on the mound on Wednesday to earn his spot.
Texas Tech women's tennis
The Texas Tech women's tennis team announced the signing of Ball State transfer Mariyah Polishchuk on Thursday.
A native of Moscow, Russia, Polishchuk is an incoming senior who spent the past three years with the Cardinals. She will utilize her final year of eligibility with Tech.
Polishchuk was named the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Player of the Year in 2023 and earned MAC Tournament MVP honors. She compiled a 20-1 overall record in dual singles matches primarily in the top flight.
Ball State made the NCAA Tournament in each of Polishchuk's seasons with the team.
"The experience that Masha gained," Tech head coach Adam Herendeen said in the news release, "playing at the top of the lineup for an NCAA tournament team, is going to help her make a big impact as a Red Raider right away."
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech Sports: John Walker Soccer Complex getting natural grass field
