The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Kansas State
Engle paces No. 4 Volleyball past No. 14 Kansas State, 3-2
11.15.2008 | Volleyball
Nov. 15, 2008
MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Texas junior All-America opposite hitter Ashley Engle records a season-best 24 kills on .488 hitting to lead the No. 4 Longhorns past No. 14 Kansas State, 3-2, Saturday night. The Longhorns' 30-28, 25-21, 22-25, 22-25, 15-9 victory improved UT to 21-3 on the year and 14-2 in the Big 12, while the Wildcats dropped to 22-6 overall and 12-5 in league play.
Junior All-America outside hitter Destinee Hooker notched three kills and helped the Longhorns jump out to a quick 7-3 lead in the fifth set. The Wildcats narrowed the margin to two (7-5), but a 6-1 run highlighted by a pair of block assists from sophomore All-America outside hitter Juliann Faucette gave UT a 13-6 lead. The Longhorns moved the tally to 14-7 on a kill by senior All-America middle blocker Lauren Paolini and closed out the match, 15-9 on a second kill by Paolini.
Texas fought off four Kansas State set points in the first set before finally stringing together three points to earn a 30-28 win. The Longhorns led early in the frame, but a 5-1 run by the Wildcats gave Kansas State its first lead at the 16-15 mark. Back-to-back kills by Engle and Faucette helped the Horns even the tally at 23. The Wildcats forced a set point at 25-23, but the Horns fought off KSU until a three-point run paced by a kill from junior All-America opposite hitter Ashley Engle and a pair of KSU service errors lifted UT to victory.
A 5-0 run paced by three kills from Hooker helped the Horns grab an early 9-6 edge in the second frame. Texas extended its lead to 14-10, but a 6-1 K-State rally erased the margin and put the Wildcats ahead, 16-15. The Longhorns responded immediately with a 3-0 run capped by a Hooker kill to regain the lead at the 18-16 mark. Texas then closed out the set, 25-21 with a 3-1 run highlighted by kills from Engle and Paolini.
In the third set, Texas fell behind early, but three Engle kills fueled a 5-1 Horns' run and put UT ahead, 5-4. Kansas State's Natalya Korobkova answered with four straight points to give the Wildcats an 8-5 edge. The Longhorns kept the tally tight, not trailing by more than three points throughout the frame with Engle pacing Texas with eight kills. A solo block and a kill by Hooker on consecutive points narrowed the margin to one (22-21), but a Korobkova kill and a UT attack error allowed Kansas State to close out the set, 25-22.
Texas led early in the fourth set until a 5-1 Kansas State run moved the Wildcats in front, 9-7. Engle paced a 5-1 run to put the Horns back ahead, 14-12, but a 5-1 KSU run capped by a Korobkova kill put the Wildcats ahead 23-20. Engle connected for a pair of kills to narrow the margin to two (24-22), but a kill by Kelsey Chipman closed out the set for K-State, 25-22.
Texas' returns to action on Wednesday, Nov. 19 when it plays host to No. 3 Nebraska. The match is slated for an 8 p.m. start on ESPNU.
POST-MATCH NOTES
- Texas' win moved the Longhorns all-time record against the Wildcats to 21-7. The Horns have now won their last 11 meetings with K-State.
- Ashley Engle's 24 kills against Kansas State set a new season-high for the junior All-American.
- Texas out-hit Kansas State, .303-to-.250 on the night.
- Ashley Engle headlined the Longhorns' comeback win in the first set, recording seven kills on 12 swings. Destinee Hooker paced UT's set two win, notching six kills on 10 swings and committing zero attack errors. Engle connected for eight kills on 10 attacks in the third frame.
- Junior defensive specialist Kiley Hall recorded a season-best 11 digs in the victory.
- Lauren Paolini's 14-kill effort equaled a season-best. She has posted 14 kills three times this season, last accomplishing the feat against Colorado (10/11/08).
TEXAS QUOTES
HEAD COACH Jerritt Elliott
General statement: It was a see-saw battle. I thought we did a great job in game one and just held strong. We had a couple of set points against us and we really made some big plays to get back into it. In game two we took control of the serve in pass before breaking down defensively in games three and four. Kansas State played really well in the third and fourth, but I was very pleased with our effort in the fifth. Destinee (Hooker) came out swinging huge for us in the fifth. We lost Juliann (Faucette) early in the match, but she came back and made some huge blocks in the fifth. That's what it's about. When players struggle and they come back and make contributions. I thought our players did a really good job defensively in game five to put us in a position to win. This is a huge win in tough place to play.
On what this type of win means heading into the NCAA tournament: With 25 points you are going to be in a lot of battles. In the Big 12 you are tested night-in and night-out. Against Oklahoma we were tested and didn't' respond, but tonight we responded on the road in a much more chaotic environment. This shows some growth. You don't want to have to play five, but if you do it shows a lot about the character of your team.
On Ashley Engle's performance: Ashley was very good for us. She steadied out our passing and offensively (Michelle) Kocher did a nice job of finding her. Our middles also did a nice job of holding their middles and opening up some seams for Ashley.
On the play of Natalya Korobkova: She was really good tonight. She struggled a little down at our place, but tonight she played like the All-American that she is. We had a hard time containing her, but in game five we finally got a couple blocks on her and that was the difference in the final set.
On Texas' upcoming match with Nebraska: To be in our conference and play two matches against a No. 3 team and a No. 14 team in consecutive matches is exactly what we will face in the NCAA Tournament. Both teams will be excited on Wednesday and it is going to be one heck of a match.
