The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Pack the Horns' House
11.16.2009 | Volleyball
Nov. 16, 2009
- Video: Pack the Horns' House
AUSTIN, Texas -- It's a two-word phrase that has a special meaning on the Forty Acres, and all across the state.
Texas Volleyball fans flock to Gregory Gym just so they can have fun yelling it -- "Point, Texas."
The second-ranked Longhorns head into Wednesday night's Big 12 showdown with Kansas State undefeated at home. In fact, UT hasn't lost a match on its home court since November of last year -- a streak of 18 matches. Head coach Jerritt Elliott knows there is a distinct reason why.
"Our home-court advantage is huge," Elliott says. "It's very chaotic. The fans cheer for us, and put pressure on our opponents."
Elliott jumpstarted an effort very early in his UT tenure to bring student seating even closer to the action, and as a result, the Longhorns have one of the most unique college atmospheres in the country. Students sit right across from the Longhorns' bench, and are just 10 feet away from the action.
Elliott's motive all along was to pack the "Horns' House" -- what students have dubbed their seating area -- and it's never been better than this special season. With two home matches still remaining, 6,372 students have attended, which is nearing the single-season record of 6,698 set in 2007.
The Texas Hellraisers, known for their varying designs of body paint, are always in attendance.
"It's us against them. It's fun to psyche out the other team," Texas Volleyball fan Gina Ho said.
This is exactly what Elliott had in mind all along. Gregory Gym is in the center of UT's campus, and appropriately has become the center of attention this fall.
"When this place is packed to the rafters, it's the best college environment in the country," Elliott says. "Gregory Gym is a really unique place to play. Nobody has a student section like we have."