The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Kansas State
No. 3 Volleyball claims first Big 12 title in 10 years with 3-0 win over No. 12 Kansas State
11.24.2007 | Volleyball
AUSTIN, Texas -- The third-ranked Texas Volleyball team used a 19-kill effort by freshman outside hitter Juliann Faucette to knock of No. 12 Kansas State, 3-0 and clinch a share of the Big 12 Conference Championship, Saturday night at Gregory Gymnasium. Texas shares the conference title with Nebraska, marking the first time UT has won a piece of the Big 12 Championship since 1997. The Longhorns 30-25, 30-19, 30-26 victory moved UT to 24-3 on the year and 19-1 in the Big 12, while KSU fell to 22-8 and 14-6 in league play.
Faucette recorded a kill/dig double-double, adding 11 digs, a .500 hitting percentage and three total blocks to her all-around performance. Sophomore opposite hitter Ashley Engle added 11 kills on .400 hitting and tallied six digs and five total blocks.
After notching victories in the first two games, Texas used an early 7-0 run in game three to leap out to an 11-5 lead. Faucette highlighted the rally with three kills and a solo block in a five-point span. The Longhorns then pushed the edge to nine at the 19-10 mark courtesy of two KSU errors and a kill by sophomore outside hitter Destinee Hooker. The Wildcats battled back late to narrow the edge to three at the 27-24 mark, but Engle recorded a block and game-ending kill down the stretch to pace UT to a 30-26 win.
In game one, Texas fell behind 4-0 to start the game and did not own the lead until the 13-12 mark, when Magee gave UT its first edge with a service ace. The Wildcats reclaimed the lead briefly, but a 4-0 Longhorns' run fueled by kills from Faucette and Engle gave UT a 20-17 advantage. A second 4-0 rally highlighted by a pair of Engle kills pushed the edge to 24-18. Kansas State closed the gap late in the game, however, Faucette's fifth kill of the game closed out the frame, 30-18.
The Longhorns controlled the second stanza from the outset, using three kills by junior middle blocker Lauren Paolini to claim an 8-7 edge. Texas pushed its lead to 12-8 behind a pair of kills from Faucette and used a 7-1 run capped by two Faucette kills to move the tally to 23-13. Engle helped the Horns push their lead to 12 at the 28-16 mark with a solo block, before Faucette closed out the game with a kill that lifted Texas to a 30-18 game-two win.
Senior setter Michelle Moriarty steadied the Longhorns offense on senior night, recording 47 assists, six digs and leading UT to a .408 attack mark in her final regular season performance at Gregory Gymnasium. Hooker tallied eight kills on .333 hitting in the win, while Paolini added seven kills and a .778 attack mark. Senior libero Alyson Jennings highlighted the defense with a match-high 14 digs and Magee led UT at the net with seven total blocks.
The Longhorns now await their NCAA Tournament fate, which will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. (Central) on ESPNU.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Jerritt Elliott
Opening statement: We set some pretty lofty goals in the beginning of the season and you set goals and you try to accomplish them. I can't say enough about the leadership that we have from our seniors and our captains. In years past we have had let downs throughout the year that have hurt us. This team has shown maturity and growth. Our seniors came in at a point where the program wasn't ready to be a championship team. They have believed in what the coaching staff did and I owe them more than you know. I am happy for them to leave here with a conference championship, which was one of our goals. It is our ultimate goal to leave with a big ring of a national championship. I feel like we played well. Game one we were a little tight early on and we kind of steadied out and played smooth the rest of the match.
On being a number one seed: I think we have put in the work to do it. The bottom line is that we are going to be a high seed and we are going to have face some really good teams. We can't put our hopes on being a number one seed and then be disappointed, we have to stay focused. Whoever is in front of us is someone we have to knock off to reach our ultimate goal of the Final Four and be in contention for the championship."
On Juliann Faucette's play: We've been trying to rest her a little bit. She has been extremely committed. She's a winner when the game is on the line. We have a lot of faith in her. She has put up the numbers to be the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and the National Freshman of the Year, but those are individual accolades. She wants a national championship more than anything.
FRESHMAN OUTSIDE HITTER Juliann Faucette
On singing the national anthem: I wasn't that nervous. I have done a couple of those things before in the past and I really got nervous. It was really cool. You could tell at the beginning of the game that I still had some jitters in me and I got them out. It was really cool to do that.
On the first game: I just felt really connected with everyone on the team. I struggled a bit at the beginning and my teammates were there. Every single person on the team was like; you're fine, next play and that helped. Going into every game I was mentally prepared for whatever they hit at me. I wasn't concerned with errors or what I was doing I just felt in rhythm with Michelle.
SENIOR SETTER Michelle Moriarty
On the emotions of senior day: I think it showed a little bit in the first couple of points. We just had to refocus on what we needed to do. It took a couple of points, but we got back into it."
On winning the Big 12 Championship: It was our goal, me and the other seniors, when we came in. For four years now that is what we have been working for and we finally get it. It is amazing.
On a tough win in Texas' last match at Iowa State: I think it was a wake-up call. I think it obviously shows it was a really good thing for us. We kind of got to a point where we were cruising instead of actually playing to our best level every night. I think it kind of showed that we have to play to our best ability every night.
On what they can work on: I think the thing we have had to work on the whole year is consistency. It showed in games a little bit we would come out and play well the first two games and then kind of let down a little bit. I think we have gotten a lot better at stringing three games together and I think that is going to be huge for us. It's just getting in control of the match and then staying in control of it.
SOPHOMORE OPPOSITE HITTER Ashley Engle
On the possibility of being a number one seed: That is something that is definitely not in our control. We have done what we have needed to do throughout the season. We reached our goal of being a Big 12 Champion. Whatever happens, happens and we will be prepared for it.
