The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
UCLA (Regional Semifinal #2)
No. 3 Volleyball downs UCLA, advances to NCAA Regional final
12.13.2008 | Volleyball
Dec. 12, 2008
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes |
AUSTIN, Texas -- The third-ranked Texas Volleyball team used a 17-kill performance by senior All-America middle blocker Lauren Paolini to down UCLA, 3-1 and advance to its third straight NCAA Regional final. The Longhorns will take on Big 12 Conference foe Iowa State (22-12) in the final at 5:30 p.m. Central on Saturday, Dec. 13. Texas' victory improved the Horns to 28-3 on the season and dropped the Bruins to 22-11.
The Longhorns led the Bruins early in the first set and surged ahead behind a 6-1 run fueled by two Paolini kills that put UT ahead, 15-8. UCLA narrowed the margin to six (17-11), but an 8-0 run highlighted by three blocks from sophomore middle blocker Jennifer Doris closed out the frame and gave Texas a 25-11 set win.
In the second set, UCLA leapt out to a quick 5-0 lead and did not relinquish its lead for the remainder of the set. The Longhorns battled back to narrow the margin to four (15-11) on a service ace by senior Kiley Hall, but a strong Bruins' block paced by Amanda Gil and Dicey McGraw pushed the UCLA lead to 22-16. Texas fought to trim the lead to two (24-22) before a kill by Katie Camp closed the set, 25-22 for the Bruins.
Texas trailed early in third stanza after a pair of 3-0 runs gave UCLA a quick 8-4 lead. The Longhorns rallied to tie the match at 15 and used a 4-0 run capped by a block from Paolini and sophomore All-America outside hitter Juliann Faucette to forge ahead 17-15. Two kills and an ace by junior All-America outside hitter Destinee Hooker down the stretch extended the Texas lead and eventually closed the frame, 25-21.
The Horns earned a 9-5 lead early in the fourth set before a 4-0 UCLA run knotted the tally at nine apiece. Texas fought back to reclaim the advantage, but the Bruins answered, taking a 16-14 lead. Freshman middle blocker Rachael Adams connected for back-to-back block assists with Paolini and Faucette to put UT back in front, 19-18 and a late 6-2 run capped by another Adams block closed out the set, 25-21.
Paolini paced the Horns with 17 kills on .483 hitting, while Hooker added 16 kills and 13 digs. Doris recorded a career-best 11 total blocks in the win and the Horns' notched a season-best 19.5 total blocks.
