The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Iowa State
Adams leads No. 13 Volleyball to rollercoaster win over No. 9 Iowa State, 3-2
09.29.2010 | Volleyball
Sept. 29, 2010
AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 13 Texas Volleyball team used a career-high 18-kill effort by junior middle blocker Rachael Adams to knock off No. 9 Iowa State, 3-2, Wednesday night at Gregory Gymnasium. The 17-25, 25-16, 12-25, 25-15, 15-11 victory improved the Longhorns to 8-4 on the year and 3-1 in Big 12 play, while the Cyclones dropped to 10-3 overall and 3-2 in league action. The win marked Texas' first win of the year over a top 10 opponent and extended its conference home winning streak to 17 matches.
After a see-saw battle in the first four sets, Texas steadied the ship in the fifth and decisive frame, hammering out 12 kills, collecting two blocks and hitting at a .440 clip. Adams opened the set with a kill and the Longhorns did not relinquish the lead. Junior outside hitter Amber Roberson connected for a kill to give UT a 6-3 lead and force an ISU timeout, but out of the timeout senior middle blocker Jennifer Doris widened the Texas lead to 7-3. The Cyclones battled back to close the Horns' lead to 9-8, but a 3-1 run fueled by two kills and block from senior All-America outside hitter Juliann Faucette gave Texas a 12-9 edge.
Iowa State narrowed the Longhorns' advantage to 12-10 on a kill by Carly Jenson before Faucette and Adams connected on back-to-back kills to give UT a 14-10 lead. After a ball-handling miscue, freshman setter Hannah Allison once again looked to Adams who connected for her final kill to lift UT to a 15-11 set victory.
After a back-and-forth battle in the first set, Iowa State put together a 7-0 run capped by a kill from Carly Jenson to take a 14-9 lead. The Cyclones added a 7-2 rally to widen the margin to 23-15 and eventually closed out the set, 25-17 on a kill by Jamie Straube.
In the second, Iowa State led at the 8-7 mark on an ace by Caitlin Mahoney, but the Horns stormed back with a 9-3 run fueled by three kills from Adams to take a 16-11 edge. The Cyclones shrank the lead to 18-15 on a UT service error before closing out the set on a 7-1 run capped by an ace from freshman setter Hannah Allison.
Texas struggled throughout the third set, allowing Iowa State to take an early 15-4 lead. The Horns shrank the margin to 10, but could not close it any closer as the Cyclones were too strong and took the set, 25-12.
The Longhorns were rejuvenated in the fourth, hitting .405 as a team and connecting for 17 kills. Roberson headlined a 4-1 UT run with a kill and block to give the Horns a quick 9-6 advantage. Texas then extended its lead with a 9-0 run paced by three Adams kills that gave the Longhorns a 19-8 edge. The Cyclones fought back to narrow the gap to 21-14, but a pair of Roberson kills and a set-ending kill by Faucette propelled the Horns to a 25-15 set win.
Adams hit a team-best .519 on the night, while Faucette added 13 kills and 11 digs to record her first kill/dig double-double of the season. Roberson joined them in double-digits with 10 kills and freshman libero Sarah Palmer steadied the defense with 11 digs.
Texas returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 2 when it travels to No. 3 Nebraska for a Big 12 Conference showdown. First serve is set for 3:30 p.m. Central on FOX Sports Net.
POST-MATCH NOTES
POST-MATCH QUOTES
Head coach Jerritt Elliott
General statement: It was obviously a see-saw battle. Our team did a really nice job rebounding after game three and showed a lot of character. That's what this sport is all about. When you're coaching you want to have a team that fights and is able to rebound. We showed a lot of confidence when we were fighting and that has to be one of our traits that we are going to continue to grow from to be a successful team throughout this Big 12 season.
On Sarah Palmer's performance: It was great. She did some really good things for us tonight. Sarah is really good. I don't think she really understands how good she can be. She needs to be a little more aggressive in that role. Her teammates have a tremendous amount of confidence in her. She's a really good server from behind the line and we just need her to gain more confidence. But I am very pleased with her.
Senior outside hitter Juliann Faucette
On the see-saw battle: I think it's the game of volleyball. This is pretty dramatic in terms of the scores that just went back-and-forth, but this year is a lot different for a lot of teams. We have seen it already this year with some teams going to five games and it's all about coming out for that fifth game and fighting.
On her improvement on defense: It's just where I am on the court, what I need to be doing at that point, and just doing it the best that I can. When I'm in the backcourt I am really focused on digging the ball and passing and getting my teammates set up so that we can score offensively. When I'm in the front row, my focus is to just be aggressive and make plays. My focus this year is to be an all-around player.
Junior middle blocker Rachael Adams
On adapting to several team injuries: The rest of us have to step it up. We are ready each and every day for whatever comes at us and our staff comes around us, and we come together. No matter who we put out on the court we will come together and fight.
On her impressive performance: The staff is looking to give me the ball more and Hannah (Allison) is looking at me and the team is looking at me. I just have to stay consistent and stay confident and just do my thing.
On her big second set: My teammates helped me. When I'm talking with them and they are giving me feedback, that's when I'm at my best.
