The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Missouri
No. 3 Volleyball upends Missouri, 3-1
11.26.2008 | Volleyball
Nov. 26, 2008
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A trio of double-digit kill efforts lift the third-ranked Texas Volleyball team to 3-1 victory over Missouri, Wednesday night at the Hearnes Center. The Longhorns' victory improved UT to 24-3 on the season and 17-2 in Big 12 play, while the Tigers dropped to 13-16 overall and 7-12 in league action.
Texas grabbed a quick 9-7 lead in the first set on a block by junior All-America outside hitter Destinee Hooker and senior All-America middle blocker Lauren Paolini. However, Mizzou answered quickly, using a 7-2 run to claim a 14-11 advantage. Sophomore All-America outside hitter Juliann Faucette helped the Horns even the tally at 14 with a kill, but a 6-0 Tigers' run down the stretch pushed Missouri's lead to 23-18. The Longhorns narrowed the lead to two (23-21), but two miscues gave the Tigers a 25-21 set win.
In the second set, the Longhorns put together a 4-0 run capped by a Faucette solo block to grab an early 13-9 edge. Texas followed with a 5-0 run fueled by two Faucette kills that moved the Horns' advantage to 18-10. Hooker connected for a kill to push the score to 23-14 and freshman middle blocker Rachael Adams closed out the frame, 25-16 with her third kill of the match.
The Longhorns used an 8-2 run paced by three Faucette kills to take an 8-3 edge in the early going of third set. Texas added to its lead with a 5-2 run capped by a Hooker kill that put the Horns ahead, 13-6. A kill by Faucette helped extend the margin to 20-12 and back-to-back solo blocks from Hooker and Adams moved the tally to 24-14. After a Mizzou point, junior All-America opposite hitter Ashley Engle's sixth kill of the set closed out the stanza, 25-15.
Missouri kept the score tight to start the fourth frame, but a 6-1 Texas run paced by consecutive block assists from Adams and freshman setter Michelle Kocher moved UT in front, 18-13. The Tigers responded with a 4-0 run to close the gap to 18-17, but a pair of UT blocks and a Mizzou error moved the score to 21-17. A Missouri attack error forced match point at 24-19, but the Tigers registered four straight points before committing an error to end the set 25-23.
Engle headlined the Texas attack with 16 on .400 hitting against Missouri, while Faucette connected for 15 kills and Paolini added 12.
Texas returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 29 when it hosts Colorado on senior night at Gregory Gym. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.
POST-MATCH NOTES
- Texas' win moved the Longhorns all-time mark against Missouri to 16-10. The Horns' have won their last five meetings with the Tigers.
- In Texas' third set victory, the Longhorns registered 20 kills on .552 hitting, three points on blocks and only two points from Mizzou miscues.
- Freshman middle blocker Rachael Adams' nine kills and seven total blocks against Missouri both set new career-high marks.
- The Longhorns 16 team blocks against the Tigers set a new season-high for Texas.
TEXAS QUOTES
HEAD COACH Jerritt Elliott
General statement: I thought we came out a little tight to start the match. We really relaxed and started siding-out really well in the second and third sets. Rachael (Adams) came off the bench and did a really nice job blocking and solidifying our defense. We controlled games two and three pretty well. We just had a tough run here in the fourth. This was a very important match for us ad it was a very big win on the road. I'm proud of the way our girls fought and found a way to win.
On his team's efficiency in the third set: It was impressive what we did there in the third set. As a team right now we are focusing on routines and continuing the side-out process. We got really good transition swings and that was the difference in games two and three. I'm very proud of the way we responded and I think that shows a lot about our team.
On Rachael Adams' performance: She has been working really hard in the practice gym and she has overcome two bouts with injuries. Jennifer Doris has been playing well so it has been a really good battle for that position. Rachael is our best blocking middle blocker and she added a lot of spark to our middle. She did a nice job of moving the ball around and I'm proud of her.
On Juliann Faucette's improvement over the last couple of matches: She has been coming in working extra and watching a lot of film. She is a competitor and she has been playing better. This is hard work at the college level and sometimes you have your ups and downs. The ones that persevere and have great character are the ones who come in and do extra work. She is doing that and I'm very proud of her for doing that.
